Devices, methods, and graphical user interfaces for providing haptic feedback

ABSTRACT

An electronic device detecting an alert event; and, in response, delays provision of feedback indicative of the alert event until determining whether the electronic device is in a first use context or in a second use context. In response to determining whether the electronic device is in the first use context or the second use context, the device, in accordance with a determination that the electronic device is in the first use context, provides first feedback indicative of the alert event. The device, in accordance with a determination that the electronic device is in the second use context that is distinct from the first use context, provides second feedback indicative of the alert event.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of, and priority to, U.S.Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/349,115, filed Jun. 12, 2016and U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/507,039, filed May16, 2017, both of which are incorporated by reference herein in theirentireties.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This relates generally to electronic devices with touch-sensitivesurfaces, including but not limited to electronic devices withtouch-sensitive surfaces that generate tactile outputs to provide hapticfeedback to a user.

BACKGROUND

The use of touch-sensitive surfaces as input devices for computers andother electronic computing devices has increased significantly in recentyears. Example touch-sensitive surfaces include touchpads andtouch-screen displays. Such surfaces are widely used to manipulate userinterface objects on a display.

Example manipulations include adjusting the position and/or size of oneor more user interface objects or activating buttons or openingfiles/applications represented by user interface objects, as well asassociating metadata with one or more user interface objects orotherwise manipulating user interfaces. Example user interface objectsinclude digital images, video, text, icons, control elements such asbuttons and other graphics. A user will, in some circumstances, need toperform such manipulations on user interface objects in a filemanagement program (e.g., Finder from Apple Inc. of Cupertino, Calif.),an image management application (e.g., Photos from Apple Inc. ofCupertino, Calif.), a digital content (e.g., videos and music)management application (e.g., iTunes from Apple Inc. of Cupertino,Calif.), a drawing application, a presentation application (e.g.,Keynote from Apple Inc. of Cupertino, Calif.), a word processingapplication (e.g., Pages from Apple Inc. of Cupertino, Calif.), or aspreadsheet application (e.g., Numbers from Apple Inc. of Cupertino,Calif.).

Haptic feedback, typically in combination with visual feedback, is oftenused in an attempt to make manipulation of user interface objects moreefficient and intuitive for a user. But conventional methods ofproviding haptic feedback are not as helpful as they could be.

SUMMARY

Accordingly, there is a need for electronic devices with improvedmethods and interfaces for providing visual and/or haptic feedback thatmake manipulation of user interface objects more efficient and intuitivefor a user. Such methods and interfaces optionally complement or replaceconventional methods for providing visual and/or haptic feedback. Suchmethods and interfaces reduce the number, extent, and/or nature of theinputs from a user by helping the user to understand the connectionbetween provided input and device responses to input, thereby creating amore efficient human-machine interface.

The above deficiencies and other problems associated with userinterfaces for electronic devices with touch-sensitive surfaces arereduced or eliminated by the disclosed devices. In some embodiments, thedevice is a desktop computer. In some embodiments, the device isportable (e.g., a notebook computer, tablet computer, or handhelddevice). In some embodiments, the device is a personal electronic device(e.g., a wearable electronic device, such as a watch). In someembodiments, the device has a touchpad. In some embodiments, the devicehas a touch-sensitive display (also known as a “touch screen” or“touch-screen display”). In some embodiments, the device has a graphicaluser interface (GUI), one or more processors, memory and one or moremodules, programs or sets of instructions stored in the memory forperforming multiple functions. In some embodiments, the user interactswith the GUI primarily through stylus and/or finger contacts andgestures on the touch-sensitive surface. In some embodiments, thefunctions optionally include image editing, drawing, presenting, wordprocessing, spreadsheet making, game playing, telephoning, videoconferencing, e-mailing, instant messaging, workout support, digitalphotographing, digital videoing, web browsing, digital music playing,note taking, and/or digital video playing. Executable instructions forperforming these functions are, optionally, included in a non-transitorycomputer readable storage medium or other computer program productconfigured for execution by one or more processors.

In accordance with some embodiments, a method is performed at anelectronic device with a display, a touch-sensitive surface, and one ormore tactile output generators. The method includes: displaying, on thedisplay, a user interface that includes a first adjustable control and asecond adjustable control and detecting movement of a first contactacross the touch-sensitive surface in a drag gesture. The method furtherincludes, in accordance with a determination that the drag gesture isperformed while a focus selector is at a location that corresponds tothe first adjustable control: adjusting the first adjustable control inaccordance with the movement of the first contact in the drag gesture;and outputting, with the one or more tactile output generators, a firstplurality of tactile outputs. A respective tactile output, in the firstplurality of tactile outputs, is triggered based on progress adjustingthe first adjustable control; and the first plurality of tactile outputshave a first distribution of tactile outputs as the first adjustablecontrol is adjusted. The method further includes, in accordance with adetermination that the drag gesture is performed while the focusselector is at a location that corresponds to the second adjustablecontrol: adjusting the second adjustable control in accordance with themovement of the first contact in the drag gesture; and outputting, withthe one or more tactile output generators, a second plurality of tactileoutputs. A respective tactile output, in the second plurality of tactileoutputs, is triggered based on progress adjusting the second adjustablecontrol; and the second plurality of tactile outputs has a seconddistribution of tactile outputs that is different from the firstdistribution of tactile outputs as the second adjustable control isadjusted.

In accordance with some embodiments, a method is performed at anelectronic device with a display, a touch-sensitive surface, one or moresensors configured to detect intensities of contacts with thetouch-sensitive surface, and one or more tactile output generators. Themethod includes: while displaying a first user interface on the display,detecting a contact on the touch-sensitive surface; detecting a firstincrease in a characteristic intensity of the contact on thetouch-sensitive surface; in response to detecting the first increase inthe characteristic intensity of the contact on the touch-sensitivesurface, producing a first tactile output, with the one or more tactileoutput generators, that has a first tactile output profile, wherein thefirst tactile output profile includes an output parameter that varies inaccordance with a proximity of the characteristic intensity of thecontact to meeting a first intensity criteria; and, while producing thetactile output that has the first tactile output profile, detecting asecond increase in the characteristic intensity of the contact on thetouch-sensitive surface. The method further includes, in response todetecting the second increase in the characteristic intensity of thecontact on the touch-sensitive surface: in accordance with adetermination that the characteristic intensity of the contact on thetouch-sensitive surface meets the first intensity criteria, producing asecond tactile output that has a second tactile output profile that isdifferent from the first tactile output profile; and, in accordance witha determination that the characteristic intensity of the contact on thetouch-sensitive surface does not meet the first intensity criteria,continuing to produce the first tactile output that has the firsttactile output profile and varying the output parameter in accordancewith the second increase in the characteristic intensity of the contactbased on the proximity of the characteristic intensity of the contact tomeeting the first intensity criteria.

In accordance with some embodiments, a method is performed at anelectronic device with a display, a touch-sensitive surface, and one ormore tactile output generators. The method includes: displaying, on thedisplay, a user interface that includes a plurality of user interfaceobjects; and detecting, on the touch-sensitive surface, a touch input bya contact that moves a focus selector from a first user interface objectof the plurality of user interface objects in a first direction on thedisplay. The method further includes, in response to detecting the touchinput: in accordance with a determination that the first user interfaceobject is selected when the focus selector moves in the first direction,generating, by the one or more tactile output generators, a sequence oftactile outputs that correspond to the movement of the focus selector inthe first direction; and in accordance with a determination that thefirst user interface object is not selected when the focus selectormoves in the first direction, forgoing generation of the sequence oftactile outputs that correspond to the movement of the focus selector inthe first direction.

In accordance with some embodiments, a method is performed at anelectronic device with a display, a touch-sensitive surface, and one ormore tactile output generators. The method includes: displaying, on thedisplay, a first user interface that includes a plurality of icons of afirst type and at least one icon of a second type, different from thefirst type; and, while a focus selector is on a first icon of the firsttype, detecting movement of a contact across the touch-sensitive surfacein a drag gesture. The method further includes, in response to detectingmovement of the contact across the touch-sensitive surface in the draggesture while the focus selector is on the first icon: moving the firsticon across the display in accordance with the movement of the firstcontact in the drag gesture; and, in accordance with a determinationthat the first icon moves over one or more other icons of the first typeduring the drag gesture, outputting, with the one or more tactile outputgenerators, one or more tactile outputs of a first type, wherein arespective tactile output of the first type has a first tactile outputprofile. The method further includes, in response to detecting movementof the contact across the touch-sensitive surface in the drag gesturewhile the focus selector is on the first icon, in accordance with adetermination that the drag gesture moves the first icon over an icon ofthe second type at the end of the drag gesture: displaying a second userinterface that corresponds to the icon of the second type; andoutputting, with the one or more tactile output generators, a tactileoutput of a second type, wherein the tactile output of the second typehas a second tactile output profile that is different from the firsttactile output profile.

In accordance with some embodiments, a method is performed at anelectronic device with a display, a touch-sensitive surface, and one ormore tactile output generators. The method includes: displaying, on thedisplay, a first user interface that includes a plurality of icons; anddetecting a first input by a contact on the touch sensitive surfacewhile a focus selector is on a first icon in the plurality of icons, thefirst icon having a first size. The method further includes, in responseto detecting the first input by the contact on the touch sensitivesurface, in accordance with a determination that the first inputsatisfies preview display criteria: displaying a preview of an objectthat corresponds to the first icon, the preview having a second sizethat is greater than the first size; and outputting, with the one ormore tactile output generators, a tactile output of a first type,wherein a tactile output of the first type has a first tactile outputprofile. The method further includes, in response to detecting the firstinput by the contact on the touch sensitive surface, in accordance witha determination that the first input satisfies scrolling criteria, whichare different from the preview display criteria: foregoing displayingthe preview of the object that corresponds to the first icon; forgoingoutputting, with the one or more tactile output generators, the tactileoutput of the first type; and, scrolling the plurality of icons.

In accordance with some embodiments, a method is performed at anelectronic device with a display, a touch sensitive surface, one or moredevice orientation sensors, and one or more tactile output generators.The method includes receiving a number of communications; and, after thenumber of communications is received: detecting, using one or more ofthe device orientation sensors, a change in a position and/ororientation of the electronic device; and in response to detecting thechange in the position and/or orientation of the device, producing, withthe one or more tactile output generators, tactile output that has atactile output profile that includes an output parameter that increasesas the number of received communications increases.

In accordance with some embodiments, a method is performed at anelectronic device with a display, a touch sensitive surface, one or moresensors, an audio system, and one or more tactile output generators. Themethod includes receiving an incoming communication; determining, usingone or more of the sensors, that the electronic device is in a first usecontext; and, in response to receiving the incoming communication,providing first feedback indicative of the incoming communication,wherein providing the first feedback indicative of the incomingcommunication includes: providing, with the audio system, a firstongoing audio output for the incoming communication, wherein the firstongoing audio output corresponds to the first use context; andproviding, with the one or more tactile output generators, a firstongoing tactile output for the incoming communication, wherein the firstongoing tactile output has a first tactile output profile thatcorresponds to the first use context. The method further includes, whileproviding the first ongoing audio output and the first ongoing tactileoutput for the incoming communication, detecting, using one or more ofthe sensors, that the electronic device is in a second use context,different from the first use context; and, in response to detecting thatthe electronic device is in the second use context, providing secondfeedback indicative of the incoming communication that is different fromthe first feedback, wherein providing the second feedback indicative ofthe incoming communication includes: providing, with the one or moretactile output generators, a second ongoing tactile output for theincoming communication, wherein the second ongoing tactile output has asecond tactile output profile that corresponds to the second usecontext.

In accordance with some embodiments, a method is performed at anelectronic device with a display, a touch sensitive surface, one or moresensors, and an audio system and/or one or more tactile outputgenerators. The method includes detecting an alert event. The methodalso includes, in response to receiving the alert event, delayingprovision of feedback indicative of the alert event until determiningwhether the electronic device is in a first use context or in a seconduse context that is distinct from the first use context; and in responseto determining whether the electronic device is in the first use contextor the second use context, in accordance with a determination that theelectronic device is in the first use context, providing first feedbackindicative of the alert event, wherein the first feedback includes afirst audio output and/or a first tactile output; and, in accordancewith a determination that the electronic device is in the second usecontext that is distinct from the first use context, providing secondfeedback indicative of the alert event, wherein the second feedbackincludes a second audio output that is distinct from the first audiooutput and/or a second tactile output that is distinct from the firsttactile output.

In accordance with some embodiments, an electronic device includes adisplay, a touch-sensitive surface, optionally one or more sensors todetect intensities of contacts with the touch-sensitive surface, one ormore tactile output generators, optionally one or more deviceorientation sensors, optionally an audio system, one or more processors,memory, and one or more programs; the one or more programs are stored inthe memory and configured to be executed by the one or more processorsand the one or more programs include instructions for performing orcausing performance of the operations of any of the methods describedherein. In accordance with some embodiments, a computer readable storagemedium has stored therein instructions which when executed by anelectronic device with a display, a touch-sensitive surface, optionallyone or more sensors to detect intensities of contacts with thetouch-sensitive surface, one or more tactile output generators,optionally one or more device orientation sensors, and optionally anaudio system, cause the device to perform or cause performance of theoperations of any of the methods described herein. In accordance withsome embodiments, a graphical user interface on an electronic devicewith a display, a touch-sensitive surface, optionally one or moresensors to detect intensities of contacts with the touch-sensitivesurface, one or more tactile output generators, optionally one or moredevice orientation sensors, optionally an audio system, a memory, andone or more processors to execute one or more programs stored in thememory includes one or more of the elements displayed in any of themethods described herein, which are updated in response to inputs, asdescribed in any of the methods described herein. In accordance withsome embodiments, an electronic device includes: a display, atouch-sensitive surface, optionally one or more sensors to detectintensities of contacts with the touch-sensitive surface, one or moretactile output generators, optionally one or more device orientationsensors, and optionally an audio system, and means for performing orcausing performance of the operations of any of the methods describedherein. In accordance with some embodiments, an information processingapparatus, for use in an electronic device with a display and atouch-sensitive surface, optionally one or more sensors to detectintensities of contacts with the touch-sensitive surface, one or moretactile output generators, optionally one or more device orientationsensors, and optionally an audio system, includes means for performingor causing performance of the operations of any of the methods describedherein.

Thus, electronic devices with displays, touch-sensitive surfaces,optionally one or more sensors to detect intensities of contacts withthe touch-sensitive surface, one or more tactile output generators,optionally one or more device orientation sensors, and optionally anaudio system, are provided with improved methods and interfaces forproviding haptic feedback to a user, thereby increasing theeffectiveness, efficiency, and user satisfaction with such devices. Suchmethods and interfaces may complement or replace conventional methodsfor providing haptic feedback to a user.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a better understanding of the various described embodiments,reference should be made to the Description of Embodiments below, inconjunction with the following drawings in which like reference numeralsrefer to corresponding parts throughout the figures.

FIG. 1A is a block diagram illustrating a portable multifunction devicewith a touch-sensitive display in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 1B is a block diagram illustrating example components for eventhandling in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 1C is a block diagram illustrating a tactile output module inaccordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 2 illustrates a portable multifunction device having a touch screenin accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an example multifunction device with adisplay and a touch-sensitive surface in accordance with someembodiments.

FIG. 4A illustrates an example user interface for a menu of applicationson a portable multifunction device in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 4B illustrates an example user interface for a multifunction devicewith a touch-sensitive surface that is separate from the display inaccordance with some embodiments.

FIGS. 4C-4E illustrate examples of dynamic intensity thresholds inaccordance with some embodiments.

FIGS. 4F-4K illustrate a set of sample tactile output patterns inaccordance with some embodiments.

FIGS. 5A-5BB illustrate example user interfaces for providing hapticfeedback in accordance with some embodiments.

FIGS. 5CC-5OO illustrate example operations of an electronic device inaccordance with some embodiments.

FIGS. 6A-6C are flow diagrams illustrating a method of outputtingtactile outputs based on progress adjusting adjustable controls inaccordance with some embodiments.

FIGS. 7A-7D are flow diagrams illustrating a method of providing tactileoutputs in response to detected increases in the characteristicintensity of a contact in accordance with some embodiments.

FIGS. 8A-8C are flow diagrams illustrating a method of generating asequence of tactile outputs that correspond to movement of a focusselector, in accordance with some embodiments.

FIG. 9 is a flow diagram illustrating a method of outputting tactileoutputs in response to detecting movement of a contact, in accordancewith some embodiments.

FIG. 10 is a flow diagram illustrating a method of providing output inaccordance with detected input by a contact at a user interface thatincludes a plurality of icons, in accordance with some embodiments.

FIGS. 11A-11B are flow diagrams illustrating a method of a flow diagramof a method of producing tactile output that includes an outputparameter that increases as a number of received communicationsincreases, in accordance with some embodiments.

FIGS. 12A-12D are flow diagrams illustrating a method of providingdifferent feedback indicative of an incoming communication depending ona device context, in accordance with some embodiments.

FIGS. 13A-13D are flow diagrams illustrating a method of providingdifferent feedback indicative of an alert event depending on a devicecontext, in accordance with some embodiments.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Many electronic devices provide feedback as input is detected at agraphical user interface to provide an indication of the effects theinput has on device operations. Electronic devices also provide feedbackto notify a user regarding incoming communications and receivedcommunications. Methods described herein provide haptic feedback to helpa user understand the effects of detected input on device operations andto provide information to a user about the state of a device.

Below, FIGS. 1A-1B, 2, and 3 provide a description of example devices.FIGS. 4A-4B and 5A-5BB illustrate example user interfaces for providinghaptic feedback. FIGS. 5CC-5OO illustrate example operations of anelectronic device for providing audio and/or tactile feedback. FIGS.6A-6C illustrate a flow diagram of a method of outputting tactileoutputs based on progress adjusting adjustable controls. FIGS. 7A-7Dillustrate a flow diagram of a method of producing tactile outputs inresponse to detected increases in the characteristic intensity of acontact. FIGS. 8A-8C illustrate a flow diagram of a method of generatinga sequence of tactile outputs that correspond to movement of a focusselector. FIG. 9 illustrates a flow diagram of a method of outputtingtactile outputs in response to detecting movement of a contact. FIG. 10illustrates a flow diagram of a method for providing output inaccordance with detected input by a contact at a user interface thatincludes a plurality of icons. FIGS. 11A-11B illustrate a flow diagramof a method of producing tactile output that includes an outputparameter that increases as a number of received communicationsincreases. FIGS. 12A-12D illustrate a flow diagram of a method ofproviding different feedback indicative of an incoming communicationdepending on a device context. FIGS. 13A-13D illustrate a flow diagramof a method of providing different feedback indicative of an alert eventdepending on a device context. The user interfaces in FIGS. 5A-5BB andthe example operations shown in FIGS. 5CC-5OO are used to illustrate theprocesses in FIGS. 6A-6C, 7A-7D, 8A-8C, 9, 10, 11A-11B, 12A-12D, and13A-13D.

Example Devices

Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments, examples of whichare illustrated in the accompanying drawings. In the following detaileddescription, numerous specific details are set forth in order to providea thorough understanding of the various described embodiments. However,it will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that the variousdescribed embodiments may be practiced without these specific details.In other instances, well-known methods, procedures, components,circuits, and networks have not been described in detail so as not tounnecessarily obscure aspects of the embodiments.

It will also be understood that, although the terms first, second, etc.are, in some instances, used herein to describe various elements, theseelements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only usedto distinguish one element from another. For example, a first contactcould be termed a second contact, and, similarly, a second contact couldbe termed a first contact, without departing from the scope of thevarious described embodiments. The first contact and the second contactare both contacts, but they are not the same contact, unless the contextclearly indicates otherwise.

The terminology used in the description of the various describedembodiments herein is for the purpose of describing particularembodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. As used in thedescription of the various described embodiments and the appendedclaims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to includethe plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicatesotherwise. It will also be understood that the term “and/or” as usedherein refers to and encompasses any and all possible combinations ofone or more of the associated listed items. It will be furtherunderstood that the terms “includes,” “including,” “comprises,” and/or“comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence ofstated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/orcomponents, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or moreother features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components,and/or groups thereof.

As used herein, the term “if” is, optionally, construed to mean “when”or “upon” or “in response to determining” or “in response to detecting,”depending on the context. Similarly, the phrase “if it is determined” or“if [a stated condition or event] is detected” is, optionally, construedto mean “upon determining” or “in response to determining” or “upondetecting [the stated condition or event]” or “in response to detecting[the stated condition or event],” depending on the context.

Embodiments of electronic devices, user interfaces for such devices, andassociated processes for using such devices are described. In someembodiments, the device is a portable communications device, such as amobile telephone, that also contains other functions, such as PDA and/ormusic player functions. Example embodiments of portable multifunctiondevices include, without limitation, the iPhone®, iPod Touch®, and iPad®devices from Apple Inc. of Cupertino, Calif. Other portable electronicdevices, such as laptops or tablet computers with touch-sensitivesurfaces (e.g., touch-screen displays and/or touchpads), are,optionally, used. It should also be understood that, in someembodiments, the device is not a portable communications device, but isa desktop computer with a touch-sensitive surface (e.g., a touch-screendisplay and/or a touchpad).

In the discussion that follows, an electronic device that includes adisplay and a touch-sensitive surface is described. It should beunderstood, however, that the electronic device optionally includes oneor more other physical user-interface devices, such as a physicalkeyboard, a mouse and/or a joystick.

The device typically supports a variety of applications, such as one ormore of the following: a note taking application, a drawing application,a presentation application, a word processing application, a websitecreation application, a disk authoring application, a spreadsheetapplication, a gaming application, a telephone application, a videoconferencing application, an e-mail application, an instant messagingapplication, a workout support application, a photo managementapplication, a digital camera application, a digital video cameraapplication, a web browsing application, a digital music playerapplication, and/or a digital video player application.

The various applications that are executed on the device optionally useat least one common physical user-interface device, such as thetouch-sensitive surface. One or more functions of the touch-sensitivesurface as well as corresponding information displayed on the deviceare, optionally, adjusted and/or varied from one application to the nextand/or within a respective application. In this way, a common physicalarchitecture (such as the touch-sensitive surface) of the deviceoptionally supports the variety of applications with user interfacesthat are intuitive and transparent to the user.

Attention is now directed toward embodiments of portable devices withtouch-sensitive displays. FIG. 1A is a block diagram illustratingportable multifunction device 100 with touch-sensitive display system112 in accordance with some embodiments. Touch-sensitive display system112 is sometimes called a “touch screen” for convenience, and issometimes simply called a touch-sensitive display. Device 100 includesmemory 102 (which optionally includes one or more computer readablestorage mediums), memory controller 122, one or more processing units(CPUs) 120, peripherals interface 118, RF circuitry 108, audio circuitry110, speaker 111, microphone 113, input/output (I/O) subsystem 106,other input or control devices 116, and external port 124. Device 100optionally includes one or more optical sensors 164. Device 100optionally includes one or more intensity sensors 165 for detectingintensities of contacts on device 100 (e.g., a touch-sensitive surfacesuch as touch-sensitive display system 112 of device 100). Device 100optionally includes one or more tactile output generators 167 forgenerating tactile outputs on device 100 (e.g., generating tactileoutputs on a touch-sensitive surface such as touch-sensitive displaysystem 112 of device 100 or touchpad 355 of device 300). Thesecomponents optionally communicate over one or more communication busesor signal lines 103.

As used in the specification and claims, the term “tactile output”refers to physical displacement of a device relative to a previousposition of the device, physical displacement of a component (e.g., atouch-sensitive surface) of a device relative to another component(e.g., housing) of the device, or displacement of the component relativeto a center of mass of the device that will be detected by a user withthe user's sense of touch. For example, in situations where the deviceor the component of the device is in contact with a surface of a userthat is sensitive to touch (e.g., a finger, palm, or other part of auser's hand), the tactile output generated by the physical displacementwill be interpreted by the user as a tactile sensation corresponding toa perceived change in physical characteristics of the device or thecomponent of the device. For example, movement of a touch-sensitivesurface (e.g., a touch-sensitive display or trackpad) is, optionally,interpreted by the user as a “down click” or “up click” of a physicalactuator button. In some cases, a user will feel a tactile sensationsuch as an “down click” or “up click” even when there is no movement ofa physical actuator button associated with the touch-sensitive surfacethat is physically pressed (e.g., displaced) by the user's movements. Asanother example, movement of the touch-sensitive surface is, optionally,interpreted or sensed by the user as “roughness” of the touch-sensitivesurface, even when there is no change in smoothness of thetouch-sensitive surface. While such interpretations of touch by a userwill be subject to the individualized sensory perceptions of the user,there are many sensory perceptions of touch that are common to a largemajority of users. Thus, when a tactile output is described ascorresponding to a particular sensory perception of a user (e.g., an “upclick,” a “down click,” “roughness”), unless otherwise stated, thegenerated tactile output corresponds to physical displacement of thedevice or a component thereof that will generate the described sensoryperception for a typical (or average) user. Using tactile outputs toprovide haptic feedback to a user enhances the operability of the deviceand makes the user-device interface more efficient (e.g., by helping theuser to provide proper inputs and reducing user mistakes whenoperating/interacting with the device) which, additionally, reducespower usage and improves battery life of the device by enabling the userto use the device more quickly and efficiently.

In some embodiments, a tactile output pattern specifies characteristicsof a tactile output, such as the amplitude of the tactile output, theshape of a movement waveform of the tactile output, the frequency of thetactile output, and/or the duration of the tactile output.

When tactile outputs with different tactile output patterns aregenerated by a device (e.g., via one or more tactile output generatorsthat move a moveable mass to generate tactile outputs), the tactileoutputs may invoke different haptic sensations in a user holding ortouching the device. While the sensation of the user is based on theuser's perception of the tactile output, most users will be able toidentify changes in waveform, frequency, and amplitude of tactileoutputs generated by the device. Thus, the waveform, frequency andamplitude can be adjusted to indicate to the user that differentoperations have been performed. As such, tactile outputs with tactileoutput patterns that are designed, selected, and/or engineered tosimulate characteristics (e.g., size, material, weight, stiffness,smoothness, etc.); behaviors (e.g., oscillation, displacement,acceleration, rotation, expansion, etc.); and/or interactions (e.g.,collision, adhesion, repulsion, attraction, friction, etc.) of objectsin a given environment (e.g., a user interface that includes graphicalfeatures and objects, a simulated physical environment with virtualboundaries and virtual objects, a real physical environment withphysical boundaries and physical objects, and/or a combination of any ofthe above) will, in some circumstances, provide helpful feedback tousers that reduces input errors and increases the efficiency of theuser's operation of the device. Additionally, tactile outputs are,optionally, generated to correspond to feedback that is unrelated to asimulated physical characteristic, such as an input threshold or aselection of an object. Such tactile outputs will, in somecircumstances, provide helpful feedback to users that reduces inputerrors and increases the efficiency of the user's operation of thedevice.

In some embodiments, a tactile output with a suitable tactile outputpattern serves as a cue for the occurrence of an event of interest in auser interface or behind the scenes in a device. Examples of the eventsof interest include activation of an affordance (e.g., a real or virtualbutton, or toggle switch) provided on the device or in a user interface,success or failure of a requested operation, reaching or crossing aboundary in a user interface, entry into a new state, switching of inputfocus between objects, activation of a new mode, reaching or crossing aninput threshold, detection or recognition of a type of input or gesture,etc. In some embodiments, tactile outputs are provided to serve as awarning or an alert for an impending event or outcome that would occurunless a redirection or interruption input is timely detected. Tactileoutputs are also used in other contexts to enrich the user experience,improve the accessibility of the device to users with visual or motordifficulties or other accessibility needs, and/or improve efficiency andfunctionality of the user interface and/or the device. Tactile outputsare optionally accompanied with audio outputs and/or visible userinterface changes, which further enhance a user's experience when theuser interacts with a user interface and/or the device, and facilitatebetter conveyance of information regarding the state of the userinterface and/or the device, and which reduce input errors and increasethe efficiency of the user's operation of the device.

It should be appreciated that device 100 is only one example of aportable multifunction device, and that device 100 optionally has moreor fewer components than shown, optionally combines two or morecomponents, or optionally has a different configuration or arrangementof the components. The various components shown in FIG. 1A areimplemented in hardware, software, firmware, or a combination thereof,including one or more signal processing and/or application specificintegrated circuits.

Memory 102 optionally includes high-speed random access memory andoptionally also includes non-volatile memory, such as one or moremagnetic disk storage devices, flash memory devices, or othernon-volatile solid-state memory devices. Access to memory 102 by othercomponents of device 100, such as CPU(s) 120 and the peripheralsinterface 118, is, optionally, controlled by memory controller 122.

Peripherals interface 118 can be used to couple input and outputperipherals of the device to CPU(s) 120 and memory 102. The one or moreprocessors 120 run or execute various software programs and/or sets ofinstructions stored in memory 102 to perform various functions fordevice 100 and to process data.

In some embodiments, peripherals interface 118, CPU(s) 120, and memorycontroller 122 are, optionally, implemented on a single chip, such aschip 104. In some other embodiments, they are, optionally, implementedon separate chips.

RF (radio frequency) circuitry 108 receives and sends RF signals, alsocalled electromagnetic signals. RF circuitry 108 converts electricalsignals to/from electromagnetic signals and communicates withcommunications networks and other communications devices via theelectromagnetic signals. RF circuitry 108 optionally includes well-knowncircuitry for performing these functions, including but not limited toan antenna system, an RF transceiver, one or more amplifiers, a tuner,one or more oscillators, a digital signal processor, a CODEC chipset, asubscriber identity module (SIM) card, memory, and so forth. RFcircuitry 108 optionally communicates with networks, such as theInternet, also referred to as the World Wide Web (WWW), an intranetand/or a wireless network, such as a cellular telephone network, awireless local area network (LAN) and/or a metropolitan area network(MAN), and other devices by wireless communication. The wirelesscommunication optionally uses any of a plurality of communicationsstandards, protocols and technologies, including but not limited toGlobal System for Mobile Communications (GSM), Enhanced Data GSMEnvironment (EDGE), high-speed downlink packet access (HSDPA),high-speed uplink packet access (HSUPA), Evolution, Data-Only (EV-DO),HSPA, HSPA+, Dual-Cell HSPA (DC-HSPA), long term evolution (LTE), nearfield communication (NFC), wideband code division multiple access(W-CDMA), code division multiple access (CDMA), time division multipleaccess (TDMA), Bluetooth, Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi) (e.g., IEEE 802.11a,IEEE 802.11ac, IEEE 802.11ax, IEEE 802.11b, IEEE 802.11g and/or IEEE802.11n), voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), Wi-MAX, a protocol fore-mail (e.g., Internet message access protocol (IMAP) and/or post officeprotocol (POP)), instant messaging (e.g., extensible messaging andpresence protocol (XMPP), Session Initiation Protocol for InstantMessaging and Presence Leveraging Extensions (SIMPLE), Instant Messagingand Presence Service (IMPS)), and/or Short Message Service (SMS), or anyother suitable communication protocol, including communication protocolsnot yet developed as of the filing date of this document.

Audio circuitry 110, speaker 111, and microphone 113 provide an audiointerface between a user and device 100. Audio circuitry 110 receivesaudio data from peripherals interface 118, converts the audio data to anelectrical signal, and transmits the electrical signal to speaker 111.Speaker 111 converts the electrical signal to human-audible sound waves.Audio circuitry 110 also receives electrical signals converted bymicrophone 113 from sound waves. Audio circuitry 110 converts theelectrical signal to audio data and transmits the audio data toperipherals interface 118 for processing. Audio data is, optionally,retrieved from and/or transmitted to memory 102 and/or RF circuitry 108by peripherals interface 118. In some embodiments, audio circuitry 110also includes a headset jack (e.g., 212, FIG. 2). The headset jackprovides an interface between audio circuitry 110 and removable audioinput/output peripherals, such as output-only headphones or a headsetwith both output (e.g., a headphone for one or both ears) and input(e.g., a microphone).

I/O subsystem 106 couples input/output peripherals on device 100, suchas touch-sensitive display system 112 and other input or control devices116, with peripherals interface 118. I/O subsystem 106 optionallyincludes display controller 156, optical sensor controller 158,intensity sensor controller 159, haptic feedback controller 161, and oneor more input controllers 160 for other input or control devices. Theone or more input controllers 160 receive/send electrical signalsfrom/to other input or control devices 116. The other input or controldevices 116 optionally include physical buttons (e.g., push buttons,rocker buttons, etc.), dials, slider switches, joysticks, click wheels,and so forth. In some alternate embodiments, input controller(s) 160are, optionally, coupled with any (or none) of the following: akeyboard, infrared port, USB port, stylus, and/or a pointer device suchas a mouse. The one or more buttons (e.g., 208, FIG. 2) optionallyinclude an up/down button for volume control of speaker 111 and/ormicrophone 113. The one or more buttons optionally include a push button(e.g., 206, FIG. 2).

Touch-sensitive display system 112 provides an input interface and anoutput interface between the device and a user. Display controller 156receives and/or sends electrical signals from/to touch-sensitive displaysystem 112. Touch-sensitive display system 112 displays visual output tothe user. The visual output optionally includes graphics, text, icons,video, and any combination thereof (collectively termed “graphics”). Insome embodiments, some or all of the visual output corresponds to userinterface objects. As used herein, the term “affordance” refers to auser-interactive graphical user interface object (e.g., a graphical userinterface object that is configured to respond to inputs directed towardthe graphical user interface object). Examples of user interactivegraphical user interface objects include, without limitation, a button,slider, icon, selectable menu item, switch, hyperlink or other userinterface control.

Touch-sensitive display system 112 has a touch-sensitive surface, sensoror set of sensors that accepts input from the user based on hapticand/or tactile contact. Touch-sensitive display system 112 and displaycontroller 156 (along with any associated modules and/or sets ofinstructions in memory 102) detect contact (and any movement or breakingof the contact) on touch-sensitive display system 112 and converts thedetected contact into interaction with user-interface objects (e.g., oneor more soft keys, icons, web pages or images) that are displayed ontouch-sensitive display system 112. In some embodiments, a point ofcontact between touch-sensitive display system 112 and the usercorresponds to a finger of the user or a stylus.

Touch-sensitive display system 112 optionally uses LCD (liquid crystaldisplay) technology, LPD (light emitting polymer display) technology, orLED (light emitting diode) technology, although other displaytechnologies are used in other embodiments. Touch-sensitive displaysystem 112 and display controller 156 optionally detect contact and anymovement or breaking thereof using any of a plurality of touch sensingtechnologies now known or later developed, including but not limited tocapacitive, resistive, infrared, and surface acoustic wave technologies,as well as other proximity sensor arrays or other elements fordetermining one or more points of contact with touch-sensitive displaysystem 112. In some embodiments, projected mutual capacitance sensingtechnology is used, such as that found in the iPhone®, iPod Touch®, andiPad® from Apple Inc. of Cupertino, Calif.

Touch-sensitive display system 112 optionally has a video resolution inexcess of 100 dpi. In some embodiments, the touch screen videoresolution is in excess of 400 dpi (e.g., 500 dpi, 800 dpi, or greater).The user optionally makes contact with touch-sensitive display system112 using any suitable object or appendage, such as a stylus, a finger,and so forth. In some embodiments, the user interface is designed towork with finger-based contacts and gestures, which can be less precisethan stylus-based input due to the larger area of contact of a finger onthe touch screen. In some embodiments, the device translates the roughfinger-based input into a precise pointer/cursor position or command forperforming the actions desired by the user.

In some embodiments, in addition to the touch screen, device 100optionally includes a touchpad (not shown) for activating ordeactivating particular functions. In some embodiments, the touchpad isa touch-sensitive area of the device that, unlike the touch screen, doesnot display visual output. The touchpad is, optionally, atouch-sensitive surface that is separate from touch-sensitive displaysystem 112 or an extension of the touch-sensitive surface formed by thetouch screen.

Device 100 also includes power system 162 for powering the variouscomponents. Power system 162 optionally includes a power managementsystem, one or more power sources (e.g., battery, alternating current(AC)), a recharging system, a power failure detection circuit, a powerconverter or inverter, a power status indicator (e.g., a light-emittingdiode (LED)) and any other components associated with the generation,management and distribution of power in portable devices.

Device 100 optionally also includes one or more optical sensors 164.FIG. 1A shows an optical sensor coupled with optical sensor controller158 in I/O subsystem 106. Optical sensor(s) 164 optionally includecharge-coupled device (CCD) or complementary metal-oxide semiconductor(CMOS) phototransistors. Optical sensor(s) 164 receive light from theenvironment, projected through one or more lens, and converts the lightto data representing an image. In conjunction with imaging module 143(also called a camera module), optical sensor(s) 164 optionally capturestill images and/or video. In some embodiments, an optical sensor islocated on the back of device 100, opposite touch-sensitive displaysystem 112 on the front of the device, so that the touch screen isenabled for use as a viewfinder for still and/or video imageacquisition. In some embodiments, another optical sensor is located onthe front of the device so that the user's image is obtained (e.g., forselfies, for videoconferencing while the user views the other videoconference participants on the touch screen, etc.).

Device 100 optionally also includes one or more contact intensitysensors 165. FIG. 1A shows a contact intensity sensor coupled withintensity sensor controller 159 in I/O subsystem 106. Contact intensitysensor(s) 165 optionally include one or more piezoresistive straingauges, capacitive force sensors, electric force sensors, piezoelectricforce sensors, optical force sensors, capacitive touch-sensitivesurfaces, or other intensity sensors (e.g., sensors used to measure theforce (or pressure) of a contact on a touch-sensitive surface). Contactintensity sensor(s) 165 receive contact intensity information (e.g.,pressure information or a proxy for pressure information) from theenvironment. In some embodiments, at least one contact intensity sensoris collocated with, or proximate to, a touch-sensitive surface (e.g.,touch-sensitive display system 112). In some embodiments, at least onecontact intensity sensor is located on the back of device 100, oppositetouch-screen display system 112 which is located on the front of device100.

Device 100 optionally also includes one or more proximity sensors 166.FIG. 1A shows proximity sensor 166 coupled with peripherals interface118. Alternately, proximity sensor 166 is coupled with input controller160 in I/O subsystem 106. In some embodiments, the proximity sensorturns off and disables touch-sensitive display system 112 when themultifunction device is placed near the user's ear (e.g., when the useris making a phone call).

Device 100 optionally also includes one or more tactile outputgenerators 167. FIG. 1A shows a tactile output generator coupled withhaptic feedback controller 161 in I/O subsystem 106. In someembodiments, tactile output generator(s) 167 include one or moreelectroacoustic devices such as speakers or other audio componentsand/or electromechanical devices that convert energy into linear motionsuch as a motor, solenoid, electroactive polymer, piezoelectricactuator, electrostatic actuator, or other tactile output generatingcomponent (e.g., a component that converts electrical signals intotactile outputs on the device). Tactile output generator(s) 167 receivetactile feedback generation instructions from haptic feedback module 133and generates tactile outputs on device 100 that are capable of beingsensed by a user of device 100. In some embodiments, at least onetactile output generator is collocated with, or proximate to, atouch-sensitive surface (e.g., touch-sensitive display system 112) and,optionally, generates a tactile output by moving the touch-sensitivesurface vertically (e.g., in/out of a surface of device 100) orlaterally (e.g., back and forth in the same plane as a surface of device100). In some embodiments, at least one tactile output generator sensoris located on the back of device 100, opposite touch-sensitive displaysystem 112, which is located on the front of device 100.

Device 100 optionally also includes one or more accelerometers 168. FIG.1A shows accelerometer 168 coupled with peripherals interface 118.Alternately, accelerometer 168 is, optionally, coupled with an inputcontroller 160 in I/O subsystem 106. In some embodiments, information isdisplayed on the touch-screen display in a portrait view or a landscapeview based on an analysis of data received from the one or moreaccelerometers. Device 100 optionally includes, in addition toaccelerometer(s) 168, a magnetometer (not shown) and a GPS (or GLONASSor other global navigation system) receiver (not shown) for obtaininginformation concerning the location and orientation (e.g., portrait orlandscape) of device 100.

In some embodiments, the software components stored in memory 102include operating system 126, communication module (or set ofinstructions) 128, contact/motion module (or set of instructions) 130,graphics module (or set of instructions) 132, haptic feedback module (orset of instructions) 133, text input module (or set of instructions)134, Global Positioning System (GPS) module (or set of instructions)135, and applications (or sets of instructions) 136. Furthermore, insome embodiments, memory 102 stores device/global internal state 157, asshown in FIGS. 1A and 3. Device/global internal state 157 includes oneor more of: active application state, indicating which applications, ifany, are currently active; display state, indicating what applications,views or other information occupy various regions of touch-sensitivedisplay system 112; sensor state, including information obtained fromthe device's various sensors and other input or control devices 116; andlocation and/or positional information concerning the device's locationand/or attitude.

Operating system 126 (e.g., iOS, Darwin, RTXC, LINUX, UNIX, OS X,WINDOWS, or an embedded operating system such as VxWorks) includesvarious software components and/or drivers for controlling and managinggeneral system tasks (e.g., memory management, storage device control,power management, etc.) and facilitates communication between varioushardware and software components.

Communication module 128 facilitates communication with other devicesover one or more external ports 124 and also includes various softwarecomponents for handling data received by RF circuitry 108 and/orexternal port 124. External port 124 (e.g., Universal Serial Bus (USB),FIREWIRE, etc.) is adapted for coupling directly to other devices orindirectly over a network (e.g., the Internet, wireless LAN, etc.). Insome embodiments, the external port is a multi-pin (e.g., 30-pin)connector that is the same as, or similar to and/or compatible with the30-pin connector used in some iPhone®, iPod Touch®, and iPad® devicesfrom Apple Inc. of Cupertino, Calif. In some embodiments, the externalport is a Lightning connector that is the same as, or similar to and/orcompatible with the Lightning connector used in some iPhone®, iPodTouch®, and iPad® devices from Apple Inc. of Cupertino, Calif.

Contact/motion module 130 optionally detects contact withtouch-sensitive display system 112 (in conjunction with displaycontroller 156) and other touch-sensitive devices (e.g., a touchpad orphysical click wheel). Contact/motion module 130 includes varioussoftware components for performing various operations related todetection of contact (e.g., by a finger or by a stylus), such asdetermining if contact has occurred (e.g., detecting a finger-downevent), determining an intensity of the contact (e.g., the force orpressure of the contact or a substitute for the force or pressure of thecontact), determining if there is movement of the contact and trackingthe movement across the touch-sensitive surface (e.g., detecting one ormore finger-dragging events), and determining if the contact has ceased(e.g., detecting a finger-up event or a break in contact).Contact/motion module 130 receives contact data from the touch-sensitivesurface. Determining movement of the point of contact, which isrepresented by a series of contact data, optionally includes determiningspeed (magnitude), velocity (magnitude and direction), and/or anacceleration (a change in magnitude and/or direction) of the point ofcontact. These operations are, optionally, applied to single contacts(e.g., one finger contacts or stylus contacts) or to multiplesimultaneous contacts (e.g., “multitouch”/multiple finger contacts). Insome embodiments, contact/motion module 130 and display controller 156detect contact on a touchpad.

Contact/motion module 130 optionally detects a gesture input by a user.Different gestures on the touch-sensitive surface have different contactpatterns (e.g., different motions, timings, and/or intensities ofdetected contacts). Thus, a gesture is, optionally, detected bydetecting a particular contact pattern. For example, detecting a fingertap gesture includes detecting a finger-down event followed by detectinga finger-up (lift off) event at the same position (or substantially thesame position) as the finger-down event (e.g., at the position of anicon). As another example, detecting a finger swipe gesture on thetouch-sensitive surface includes detecting a finger-down event followedby detecting one or more finger-dragging events, and subsequentlyfollowed by detecting a finger-up (lift off) event. Similarly, tap,swipe, drag, and other gestures are optionally detected for a stylus bydetecting a particular contact pattern for the stylus.

In some embodiments, detecting a finger tap gesture (e.g., ontouch-sensitive display system 112) depends on the length of timebetween detecting the finger-down event and the finger-up event, but isindependent of the intensity of the finger contact between detecting thefinger-down event and the finger-up event. In some embodiments, a tapgesture is detected in accordance with a determination that the lengthof time between the finger-down event and the finger-up event is lessthan a predetermined value (e.g., less than 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4 or 0.5seconds), independent of whether the intensity of the finger contactduring the tap meets a given intensity threshold (greater than a nominalcontact-detection intensity threshold), such as a light press or deeppress intensity threshold. Thus, a finger tap gesture can satisfyparticular input criteria that do not require that the characteristicintensity of a contact satisfy a given intensity threshold in order forthe particular input criteria to be met. For clarity, the finger contactin a tap gesture typically needs to satisfy a nominal contact-detectionintensity threshold, below which the contact is not detected, in orderfor the finger-down event to be detected. A similar analysis applies todetecting a tap gesture by a stylus or other contact. In cases where thedevice is capable of detecting a finger or stylus contact hovering overa touch sensitive surface, the nominal contact-detection intensitythreshold optionally does not correspond to physical contact between thefinger or stylus and the touch sensitive surface.

The same concepts apply in an analogous manner to other types ofgestures. For example, a swipe gesture, a pinch gesture, a depinchgesture, and/or a long press gesture are optionally detected (e.g., ontouch-sensitive display system 112) based on the satisfaction ofcriteria that are either independent of intensities of contacts includedin the gesture, or do not require that contact(s) that perform thegesture reach intensity thresholds in order to be recognized. Forexample, a swipe gesture is detected based on an amount of movement ofone or more contacts; a pinch gesture is detected based on movement oftwo or more contacts towards each other; a depinch gesture is detectedbased on movement of two or more contacts away from each other; and along press gesture is detected based on a duration of the contact on thetouch-sensitive surface with less than a threshold amount of movement.As such, the statement that particular gesture recognition criteria donot require that the intensity of the contact(s) meet a respectiveintensity threshold in order for the particular gesture recognitioncriteria to be met means that the particular gesture recognitioncriteria are capable of being satisfied if the contact(s) in the gesturedo not reach the respective intensity threshold, and are also capable ofbeing satisfied in circumstances where one or more of the contacts inthe gesture do reach or exceed the respective intensity threshold. Insome embodiments, a tap gesture is detected based on a determinationthat the finger-down and finger-up event are detected within apredefined time period, without regard to whether the contact is aboveor below the respective intensity threshold during the predefined timeperiod, and a swipe gesture is detected based on a determination thatthe contact movement is greater than a predefined magnitude, even if thecontact is above the respective intensity threshold at the end of thecontact movement. Even in implementations where detection of a gestureis influenced by the intensity of contacts performing the gesture (e.g.,the device detects a long press more quickly when the intensity of thecontact is above an intensity threshold or delays detection of a tapinput when the intensity of the contact is higher), the detection ofthose gestures does not require that the contacts reach a particularintensity threshold so long as the criteria for recognizing the gesturecan be met in circumstances where the contact does not reach theparticular intensity threshold (e.g., even if the amount of time that ittakes to recognize the gesture changes).

Contact intensity thresholds, duration thresholds, and movementthresholds are, in some circumstances, combined in a variety ofdifferent combinations in order to create heuristics for distinguishingtwo or more different gestures directed to the same input element orregion so that multiple different interactions with the same inputelement are enabled to provide a richer set of user interactions andresponses. The statement that a particular set of gesture recognitioncriteria do not require that the intensity of the contact(s) meet arespective intensity threshold in order for the particular gesturerecognition criteria to be met does not preclude the concurrentevaluation of other intensity-dependent gesture recognition criteria toidentify other gestures that do have a criteria that is met when agesture includes a contact with an intensity above the respectiveintensity threshold. For example, in some circumstances, first gesturerecognition criteria for a first gesture—which do not require that theintensity of the contact(s) meet a respective intensity threshold inorder for the first gesture recognition criteria to be met—are incompetition with second gesture recognition criteria for a secondgesture—which are dependent on the contact(s) reaching the respectiveintensity threshold. In such competitions, the gesture is, optionally,not recognized as meeting the first gesture recognition criteria for thefirst gesture if the second gesture recognition criteria for the secondgesture are met first. For example, if a contact reaches the respectiveintensity threshold before the contact moves by a predefined amount ofmovement, a deep press gesture is detected rather than a swipe gesture.Conversely, if the contact moves by the predefined amount of movementbefore the contact reaches the respective intensity threshold, a swipegesture is detected rather than a deep press gesture. Even in suchcircumstances, the first gesture recognition criteria for the firstgesture still do not require that the intensity of the contact(s) meet arespective intensity threshold in order for the first gesturerecognition criteria to be met because if the contact stayed below therespective intensity threshold until an end of the gesture (e.g., aswipe gesture with a contact that does not increase to an intensityabove the respective intensity threshold), the gesture would have beenrecognized by the first gesture recognition criteria as a swipe gesture.As such, particular gesture recognition criteria that do not requirethat the intensity of the contact(s) meet a respective intensitythreshold in order for the particular gesture recognition criteria to bemet will (A) in some circumstances ignore the intensity of the contactwith respect to the intensity threshold (e.g. for a tap gesture) and/or(B) in some circumstances still be dependent on the intensity of thecontact with respect to the intensity threshold in the sense that theparticular gesture recognition criteria (e.g., for a long press gesture)will fail if a competing set of intensity-dependent gesture recognitioncriteria (e.g., for a deep press gesture) recognize an input ascorresponding to an intensity-dependent gesture before the particulargesture recognition criteria recognize a gesture corresponding to theinput (e.g., for a long press gesture that is competing with a deeppress gesture for recognition).

Graphics module 132 includes various known software components forrendering and displaying graphics on touch-sensitive display system 112or other display, including components for changing the visual impact(e.g., brightness, transparency, saturation, contrast or other visualproperty) of graphics that are displayed. As used herein, the term“graphics” includes any object that can be displayed to a user,including without limitation text, web pages, icons (such asuser-interface objects including soft keys), digital images, videos,animations and the like.

In some embodiments, graphics module 132 stores data representinggraphics to be used. Each graphic is, optionally, assigned acorresponding code. Graphics module 132 receives, from applicationsetc., one or more codes specifying graphics to be displayed along with,if necessary, coordinate data and other graphic property data, and thengenerates screen image data to output to display controller 156.

Haptic feedback module 133 includes various software components forgenerating instructions (e.g., instructions used by haptic feedbackcontroller 161) to produce tactile outputs using tactile outputgenerator(s) 167 at one or more locations on device 100 in response touser interactions with device 100.

Text input module 134, which is, optionally, a component of graphicsmodule 132, provides soft keyboards for entering text in variousapplications (e.g., contacts 137, e-mail 140, IM 141, browser 147, andany other application that needs text input).

GPS module 135 determines the location of the device and provides thisinformation for use in various applications (e.g., to telephone 138 foruse in location-based dialing, to camera 143 as picture/video metadata,and to applications that provide location-based services such as weatherwidgets, local yellow page widgets, and map/navigation widgets).

Applications 136 optionally include the following modules (or sets ofinstructions), or a subset or superset thereof:

-   -   contacts module 137 (sometimes called an address book or contact        list);    -   telephone module 138;    -   video conferencing module 139;    -   e-mail client module 140;    -   instant messaging (IM) module 141;    -   workout support module 142;    -   camera module 143 for still and/or video images;    -   image management module 144;    -   browser module 147;    -   calendar module 148;    -   widget modules 149, which optionally include one or more of:        weather widget 149-1, stocks widget 149-2, calculator widget        149-3, alarm clock widget 149-4, dictionary widget 149-5, and        other widgets obtained by the user, as well as user-created        widgets 149-6;    -   widget creator module 150 for making user-created widgets 149-6;    -   search module 151;    -   video and music player module 152, which is, optionally, made up        of a video player module and a music player module;    -   notes module 153;    -   map module 154; and/or    -   online video module 155.

Examples of other applications 136 that are, optionally, stored inmemory 102 include other word processing applications, other imageediting applications, drawing applications, presentation applications,JAVA-enabled applications, encryption, digital rights management, voicerecognition, and voice replication.

In conjunction with touch-sensitive display system 112, displaycontroller 156, contact module 130, graphics module 132, and text inputmodule 134, contacts module 137 includes executable instructions tomanage an address book or contact list (e.g., stored in applicationinternal state 192 of contacts module 137 in memory 102 or memory 370),including: adding name(s) to the address book; deleting name(s) from theaddress book; associating telephone number(s), e-mail address(es),physical address(es) or other information with a name; associating animage with a name; categorizing and sorting names; providing telephonenumbers and/or e-mail addresses to initiate and/or facilitatecommunications by telephone 138, video conference 139, e-mail 140, or IM141; and so forth.

In conjunction with RF circuitry 108, audio circuitry 110, speaker 111,microphone 113, touch-sensitive display system 112, display controller156, contact module 130, graphics module 132, and text input module 134,telephone module 138 includes executable instructions to enter asequence of characters corresponding to a telephone number, access oneor more telephone numbers in address book 137, modify a telephone numberthat has been entered, dial a respective telephone number, conduct aconversation and disconnect or hang up when the conversation iscompleted. As noted above, the wireless communication optionally usesany of a plurality of communications standards, protocols andtechnologies.

In conjunction with RF circuitry 108, audio circuitry 110, speaker 111,microphone 113, touch-sensitive display system 112, display controller156, optical sensor(s) 164, optical sensor controller 158, contactmodule 130, graphics module 132, text input module 134, contact list137, and telephone module 138, videoconferencing module 139 includesexecutable instructions to initiate, conduct, and terminate a videoconference between a user and one or more other participants inaccordance with user instructions.

In conjunction with RF circuitry 108, touch-sensitive display system112, display controller 156, contact module 130, graphics module 132,and text input module 134, e-mail client module 140 includes executableinstructions to create, send, receive, and manage e-mail in response touser instructions. In conjunction with image management module 144,e-mail client module 140 makes it very easy to create and send e-mailswith still or video images taken with camera module 143.

In conjunction with RF circuitry 108, touch-sensitive display system112, display controller 156, contact module 130, graphics module 132,and text input module 134, the instant messaging module 141 includesexecutable instructions to enter a sequence of characters correspondingto an instant message, to modify previously entered characters, totransmit a respective instant message (for example, using a ShortMessage Service (SMS) or Multimedia Message Service (MMS) protocol fortelephony-based instant messages or using XMPP, SIMPLE, Apple PushNotification Service (APNs) or IMPS for Internet-based instantmessages), to receive instant messages, and to view received instantmessages. In some embodiments, transmitted and/or received instantmessages optionally include graphics, photos, audio files, video filesand/or other attachments as are supported in a MMS and/or an EnhancedMessaging Service (EMS). As used herein, “instant messaging” refers toboth telephony-based messages (e.g., messages sent using SMS or MMS) andInternet-based messages (e.g., messages sent using XMPP, SIMPLE, APNs,or IMPS).

In conjunction with RF circuitry 108, touch-sensitive display system112, display controller 156, contact module 130, graphics module 132,text input module 134, GPS module 135, map module 154, and video andmusic player module 152, workout support module 142 includes executableinstructions to create workouts (e.g., with time, distance, and/orcalorie burning goals); communicate with workout sensors (in sportsdevices and smart watches); receive workout sensor data; calibratesensors used to monitor a workout; select and play music for a workout;and display, store and transmit workout data.

In conjunction with touch-sensitive display system 112, displaycontroller 156, optical sensor(s) 164, optical sensor controller 158,contact module 130, graphics module 132, and image management module144, camera module 143 includes executable instructions to capture stillimages or video (including a video stream) and store them into memory102, modify characteristics of a still image or video, and/or delete astill image or video from memory 102.

In conjunction with touch-sensitive display system 112, displaycontroller 156, contact module 130, graphics module 132, text inputmodule 134, and camera module 143, image management module 144 includesexecutable instructions to arrange, modify (e.g., edit), or otherwisemanipulate, label, delete, present (e.g., in a digital slide show oralbum), and store still and/or video images.

In conjunction with RF circuitry 108, touch-sensitive display system112, display system controller 156, contact module 130, graphics module132, and text input module 134, browser module 147 includes executableinstructions to browse the Internet in accordance with userinstructions, including searching, linking to, receiving, and displayingweb pages or portions thereof, as well as attachments and other fileslinked to web pages.

In conjunction with RF circuitry 108, touch-sensitive display system112, display system controller 156, contact module 130, graphics module132, text input module 134, e-mail client module 140, and browser module147, calendar module 148 includes executable instructions to create,display, modify, and store calendars and data associated with calendars(e.g., calendar entries, to do lists, etc.) in accordance with userinstructions.

In conjunction with RF circuitry 108, touch-sensitive display system112, display system controller 156, contact module 130, graphics module132, text input module 134, and browser module 147, widget modules 149are mini-applications that are, optionally, downloaded and used by auser (e.g., weather widget 149-1, stocks widget 149-2, calculator widget149-3, alarm clock widget 149-4, and dictionary widget 149-5) or createdby the user (e.g., user-created widget 149-6). In some embodiments, awidget includes an HTML (Hypertext Markup Language) file, a CSS(Cascading Style Sheets) file, and a JavaScript file. In someembodiments, a widget includes an XML (Extensible Markup Language) fileand a JavaScript file (e.g., Yahoo! Widgets).

In conjunction with RF circuitry 108, touch-sensitive display system112, display system controller 156, contact module 130, graphics module132, text input module 134, and browser module 147, the widget creatormodule 150 includes executable instructions to create widgets (e.g.,turning a user-specified portion of a web page into a widget).

In conjunction with touch-sensitive display system 112, display systemcontroller 156, contact module 130, graphics module 132, and text inputmodule 134, search module 151 includes executable instructions to searchfor text, music, sound, image, video, and/or other files in memory 102that match one or more search criteria (e.g., one or more user-specifiedsearch terms) in accordance with user instructions.

In conjunction with touch-sensitive display system 112, display systemcontroller 156, contact module 130, graphics module 132, audio circuitry110, speaker 111, RF circuitry 108, and browser module 147, video andmusic player module 152 includes executable instructions that allow theuser to download and play back recorded music and other sound filesstored in one or more file formats, such as MP3 or AAC files, andexecutable instructions to display, present or otherwise play backvideos (e.g., on touch-sensitive display system 112, or on an externaldisplay connected wirelessly or via external port 124). In someembodiments, device 100 optionally includes the functionality of an MP3player, such as an iPod (trademark of Apple Inc.).

In conjunction with touch-sensitive display system 112, displaycontroller 156, contact module 130, graphics module 132, and text inputmodule 134, notes module 153 includes executable instructions to createand manage notes, to do lists, and the like in accordance with userinstructions.

In conjunction with RF circuitry 108, touch-sensitive display system112, display system controller 156, contact module 130, graphics module132, text input module 134, GPS module 135, and browser module 147, mapmodule 154 includes executable instructions to receive, display, modify,and store maps and data associated with maps (e.g., driving directions;data on stores and other points of interest at or near a particularlocation; and other location-based data) in accordance with userinstructions.

In conjunction with touch-sensitive display system 112, display systemcontroller 156, contact module 130, graphics module 132, audio circuitry110, speaker 111, RF circuitry 108, text input module 134, e-mail clientmodule 140, and browser module 147, online video module 155 includesexecutable instructions that allow the user to access, browse, receive(e.g., by streaming and/or download), play back (e.g., on the touchscreen 112, or on an external display connected wirelessly or viaexternal port 124), send an e-mail with a link to a particular onlinevideo, and otherwise manage online videos in one or more file formats,such as H.264. In some embodiments, instant messaging module 141, ratherthan e-mail client module 140, is used to send a link to a particularonline video.

Each of the above identified modules and applications correspond to aset of executable instructions for performing one or more functionsdescribed above and the methods described in this application (e.g., thecomputer-implemented methods and other information processing methodsdescribed herein). These modules (i.e., sets of instructions) need notbe implemented as separate software programs, procedures or modules, andthus various subsets of these modules are, optionally, combined orotherwise re-arranged in various embodiments. In some embodiments,memory 102 optionally stores a subset of the modules and data structuresidentified above. Furthermore, memory 102 optionally stores additionalmodules and data structures not described above.

In some embodiments, device 100 is a device where operation of apredefined set of functions on the device is performed exclusivelythrough a touch screen and/or a touchpad. By using a touch screen and/ora touchpad as the primary input control device for operation of device100, the number of physical input control devices (such as push buttons,dials, and the like) on device 100 is, optionally, reduced.

The predefined set of functions that are performed exclusively through atouch screen and/or a touchpad optionally include navigation betweenuser interfaces. In some embodiments, the touchpad, when touched by theuser, navigates device 100 to a main, home, or root menu from any userinterface that is displayed on device 100. In such embodiments, a “menubutton” is implemented using a touchpad. In some other embodiments, themenu button is a physical push button or other physical input controldevice instead of a touchpad.

FIG. 1B is a block diagram illustrating example components for eventhandling in accordance with some embodiments. In some embodiments,memory 102 (in FIG. 1A) or 370 (FIG. 3) includes event sorter 170 (e.g.,in operating system 126) and a respective application 136-1 (e.g., anyof the aforementioned applications 136, 137-155, 380-390).

Event sorter 170 receives event information and determines theapplication 136-1 and application view 191 of application 136-1 to whichto deliver the event information. Event sorter 170 includes eventmonitor 171 and event dispatcher module 174. In some embodiments,application 136-1 includes application internal state 192, whichindicates the current application view(s) displayed on touch-sensitivedisplay system 112 when the application is active or executing. In someembodiments, device/global internal state 157 is used by event sorter170 to determine which application(s) is (are) currently active, andapplication internal state 192 is used by event sorter 170 to determineapplication views 191 to which to deliver event information.

In some embodiments, application internal state 192 includes additionalinformation, such as one or more of: resume information to be used whenapplication 136-1 resumes execution, user interface state informationthat indicates information being displayed or that is ready for displayby application 136-1, a state queue for enabling the user to go back toa prior state or view of application 136-1, and a redo/undo queue ofprevious actions taken by the user.

Event monitor 171 receives event information from peripherals interface118. Event information includes information about a sub-event (e.g., auser touch on touch-sensitive display system 112, as part of amulti-touch gesture). Peripherals interface 118 transmits information itreceives from I/O subsystem 106 or a sensor, such as proximity sensor166, accelerometer(s) 168, and/or microphone 113 (through audiocircuitry 110). Information that peripherals interface 118 receives fromI/O subsystem 106 includes information from touch-sensitive displaysystem 112 or a touch-sensitive surface.

In some embodiments, event monitor 171 sends requests to the peripheralsinterface 118 at predetermined intervals. In response, peripheralsinterface 118 transmits event information. In other embodiments,peripheral interface 118 transmits event information only when there isa significant event (e.g., receiving an input above a predeterminednoise threshold and/or for more than a predetermined duration).

In some embodiments, event sorter 170 also includes a hit viewdetermination module 172 and/or an active event recognizer determinationmodule 173.

Hit view determination module 172 provides software procedures fordetermining where a sub-event has taken place within one or more views,when touch-sensitive display system 112 displays more than one view.Views are made up of controls and other elements that a user can see onthe display.

Another aspect of the user interface associated with an application is aset of views, sometimes herein called application views or userinterface windows, in which information is displayed and touch-basedgestures occur. The application views (of a respective application) inwhich a touch is detected optionally correspond to programmatic levelswithin a programmatic or view hierarchy of the application. For example,the lowest level view in which a touch is detected is, optionally,called the hit view, and the set of events that are recognized as properinputs are, optionally, determined based, at least in part, on the hitview of the initial touch that begins a touch-based gesture.

Hit view determination module 172 receives information related tosub-events of a touch-based gesture. When an application has multipleviews organized in a hierarchy, hit view determination module 172identifies a hit view as the lowest view in the hierarchy which shouldhandle the sub-event. In most circumstances, the hit view is the lowestlevel view in which an initiating sub-event occurs (i.e., the firstsub-event in the sequence of sub-events that form an event or potentialevent). Once the hit view is identified by the hit view determinationmodule, the hit view typically receives all sub-events related to thesame touch or input source for which it was identified as the hit view.

Active event recognizer determination module 173 determines which viewor views within a view hierarchy should receive a particular sequence ofsub-events. In some embodiments, active event recognizer determinationmodule 173 determines that only the hit view should receive a particularsequence of sub-events. In other embodiments, active event recognizerdetermination module 173 determines that all views that include thephysical location of a sub-event are actively involved views, andtherefore determines that all actively involved views should receive aparticular sequence of sub-events. In other embodiments, even if touchsub-events were entirely confined to the area associated with oneparticular view, views higher in the hierarchy would still remain asactively involved views.

Event dispatcher module 174 dispatches the event information to an eventrecognizer (e.g., event recognizer 180). In embodiments including activeevent recognizer determination module 173, event dispatcher module 174delivers the event information to an event recognizer determined byactive event recognizer determination module 173. In some embodiments,event dispatcher module 174 stores in an event queue the eventinformation, which is retrieved by a respective event receiver module182.

In some embodiments, operating system 126 includes event sorter 170.Alternatively, application 136-1 includes event sorter 170. In yet otherembodiments, event sorter 170 is a stand-alone module, or a part ofanother module stored in memory 102, such as contact/motion module 130.

In some embodiments, application 136-1 includes a plurality of eventhandlers 190 and one or more application views 191, each of whichincludes instructions for handling touch events that occur within arespective view of the application's user interface. Each applicationview 191 of the application 136-1 includes one or more event recognizers180. Typically, a respective application view 191 includes a pluralityof event recognizers 180. In other embodiments, one or more of eventrecognizers 180 are part of a separate module, such as a user interfacekit (not shown) or a higher level object from which application 136-1inherits methods and other properties. In some embodiments, a respectiveevent handler 190 includes one or more of: data updater 176, objectupdater 177, GUI updater 178, and/or event data 179 received from eventsorter 170. Event handler 190 optionally utilizes or calls data updater176, object updater 177 or GUI updater 178 to update the applicationinternal state 192. Alternatively, one or more of the application views191 includes one or more respective event handlers 190. Also, in someembodiments, one or more of data updater 176, object updater 177, andGUI updater 178 are included in a respective application view 191.

A respective event recognizer 180 receives event information (e.g.,event data 179) from event sorter 170, and identifies an event from theevent information. Event recognizer 180 includes event receiver 182 andevent comparator 184. In some embodiments, event recognizer 180 alsoincludes at least a subset of: metadata 183, and event deliveryinstructions 188 (which optionally include sub-event deliveryinstructions).

Event receiver 182 receives event information from event sorter 170. Theevent information includes information about a sub-event, for example, atouch or a touch movement. Depending on the sub-event, the eventinformation also includes additional information, such as location ofthe sub-event. When the sub-event concerns motion of a touch, the eventinformation optionally also includes speed and direction of thesub-event. In some embodiments, events include rotation of the devicefrom one orientation to another (e.g., from a portrait orientation to alandscape orientation, or vice versa), and the event informationincludes corresponding information about the current orientation (alsocalled device attitude) of the device.

Event comparator 184 compares the event information to predefined eventor sub-event definitions and, based on the comparison, determines anevent or sub-event, or determines or updates the state of an event orsub-event. In some embodiments, event comparator 184 includes eventdefinitions 186. Event definitions 186 contain definitions of events(e.g., predefined sequences of sub-events), for example, event 1(187-1), event 2 (187-2), and others. In some embodiments, sub-events inan event 187 include, for example, touch begin, touch end, touchmovement, touch cancellation, and multiple touching. In one example, thedefinition for event 1 (187-1) is a double tap on a displayed object.The double tap, for example, comprises a first touch (touch begin) onthe displayed object for a predetermined phase, a first lift-off (touchend) for a predetermined phase, a second touch (touch begin) on thedisplayed object for a predetermined phase, and a second lift-off (touchend) for a predetermined phase. In another example, the definition forevent 2 (187-2) is a dragging on a displayed object. The dragging, forexample, comprises a touch (or contact) on the displayed object for apredetermined phase, a movement of the touch across touch-sensitivedisplay system 112, and lift-off of the touch (touch end). In someembodiments, the event also includes information for one or moreassociated event handlers 190.

In some embodiments, event definition 187 includes a definition of anevent for a respective user-interface object. In some embodiments, eventcomparator 184 performs a hit test to determine which user-interfaceobject is associated with a sub-event. For example, in an applicationview in which three user-interface objects are displayed ontouch-sensitive display system 112, when a touch is detected ontouch-sensitive display system 112, event comparator 184 performs a hittest to determine which of the three user-interface objects isassociated with the touch (sub-event). If each displayed object isassociated with a respective event handler 190, the event comparatoruses the result of the hit test to determine which event handler 190should be activated. For example, event comparator 184 selects an eventhandler associated with the sub-event and the object triggering the hittest.

In some embodiments, the definition for a respective event 187 alsoincludes delayed actions that delay delivery of the event informationuntil after it has been determined whether the sequence of sub-eventsdoes or does not correspond to the event recognizer's event type.

When a respective event recognizer 180 determines that the series ofsub-events do not match any of the events in event definitions 186, therespective event recognizer 180 enters an event impossible, eventfailed, or event ended state, after which it disregards subsequentsub-events of the touch-based gesture. In this situation, other eventrecognizers, if any, that remain active for the hit view continue totrack and process sub-events of an ongoing touch-based gesture.

In some embodiments, a respective event recognizer 180 includes metadata183 with configurable properties, flags, and/or lists that indicate howthe event delivery system should perform sub-event delivery to activelyinvolved event recognizers. In some embodiments, metadata 183 includesconfigurable properties, flags, and/or lists that indicate how eventrecognizers interact, or are enabled to interact, with one another. Insome embodiments, metadata 183 includes configurable properties, flags,and/or lists that indicate whether sub-events are delivered to varyinglevels in the view or programmatic hierarchy.

In some embodiments, a respective event recognizer 180 activates eventhandler 190 associated with an event when one or more particularsub-events of an event are recognized. In some embodiments, a respectiveevent recognizer 180 delivers event information associated with theevent to event handler 190. Activating an event handler 190 is distinctfrom sending (and deferred sending) sub-events to a respective hit view.In some embodiments, event recognizer 180 throws a flag associated withthe recognized event, and event handler 190 associated with the flagcatches the flag and performs a predefined process.

In some embodiments, event delivery instructions 188 include sub-eventdelivery instructions that deliver event information about a sub-eventwithout activating an event handler. Instead, the sub-event deliveryinstructions deliver event information to event handlers associated withthe series of sub-events or to actively involved views. Event handlersassociated with the series of sub-events or with actively involved viewsreceive the event information and perform a predetermined process.

In some embodiments, data updater 176 creates and updates data used inapplication 136-1. For example, data updater 176 updates the telephonenumber used in contacts module 137, or stores a video file used in videoand music player module 152. In some embodiments, object updater 177creates and updates objects used in application 136-1. For example,object updater 177 creates a new user-interface object or updates theposition of a user-interface object. GUI updater 178 updates the GUI.For example, GUI updater 178 prepares display information and sends itto graphics module 132 for display on a touch-sensitive display.

In some embodiments, event handler(s) 190 includes or has access to dataupdater 176, object updater 177, and GUI updater 178. In someembodiments, data updater 176, object updater 177, and GUI updater 178are included in a single module of a respective application 136-1 orapplication view 191. In other embodiments, they are included in two ormore software modules.

It shall be understood that the foregoing discussion regarding eventhandling of user touches on touch-sensitive displays also applies toother forms of user inputs to operate multifunction devices 100 withinput-devices, not all of which are initiated on touch screens. Forexample, mouse movement and mouse button presses, optionally coordinatedwith single or multiple keyboard presses or holds; contact movementssuch as taps, drags, scrolls, etc., on touch-pads; pen stylus inputs;movement of the device; oral instructions; detected eye movements;biometric inputs; and/or any combination thereof are optionally utilizedas inputs corresponding to sub-events which define an event to berecognized.

FIG. 1C is a block diagram illustrating a tactile output module inaccordance with some embodiments. In some embodiments, I/O subsystem 106(e.g., haptic feedback controller 161 (FIG. 1A) and/or other inputcontroller(s) 160 (FIG. 1A)) includes at least some of the examplecomponents shown in FIG. 1C. In some embodiments, peripherals interface118 includes at least some of the example components shown in FIG. 1C.

In some embodiments, the tactile output module includes haptic feedbackmodule 133. In some embodiments, haptic feedback module 133 aggregatesand combines tactile outputs for user interface feedback from softwareapplications on the electronic device (e.g., feedback that is responsiveto user inputs that correspond to displayed user interfaces and alertsand other notifications that indicate the performance of operations oroccurrence of events in user interfaces of the electronic device).Haptic feedback module 133 includes one or more of: waveform module 123(for providing waveforms used for generating tactile outputs), mixer 125(for mixing waveforms, such as waveforms in different channels),compressor 127 (for reducing or compressing a dynamic range of thewaveforms), low-pass filter 129 (for filtering out high frequency signalcomponents in the waveforms), and thermal controller 131 (for adjustingthe waveforms in accordance with thermal conditions). In someembodiments, haptic feedback module 133 is included in haptic feedbackcontroller 161 (FIG. 1A). In some embodiments, a separate unit of hapticfeedback module 133 (or a separate implementation of haptic feedbackmodule 133) is also included in an audio controller (e.g., audiocircuitry 110, FIG. 1A) and used for generating audio signals. In someembodiments, a single haptic feedback module 133 is used for generatingaudio signals and generating waveforms for tactile outputs.

In some embodiments, haptic feedback module 133 also includes triggermodule 121 (e.g., a software application, operating system, or othersoftware module that determines a tactile output is to be generated andinitiates the process for generating the corresponding tactile output).In some embodiments, trigger module 121 generates trigger signals forinitiating generation of waveforms (e.g., by waveform module 123). Forexample, trigger module 121 generates trigger signals based on presettiming criteria. In some embodiments, trigger module 121 receivestrigger signals from outside haptic feedback module 133 (e.g., in someembodiments, haptic feedback module 133 receives trigger signals fromhardware input processing module 146 located outside haptic feedbackmodule 133) and relays the trigger signals to other components withinhaptic feedback module 133 (e.g., waveform module 123) or softwareapplications that trigger operations (e.g., with trigger module 121)based on activation of a user interface element (e.g., an applicationicon or an affordance within an application) or a hardware input device(e.g., a home button or an intensity-sensitive input surface, such as anintensity-sensitive touch screen). In some embodiments, trigger module121 also receives tactile feedback generation instructions (e.g., fromhaptic feedback module 133, FIGS. 1A and 3). In some embodiments,trigger module 121 generates trigger signals in response to hapticfeedback module 133 (or trigger module 121 in haptic feedback module133) receiving tactile feedback instructions (e.g., from haptic feedbackmodule 133, FIGS. 1A and 3).

Waveform module 123 receives trigger signals (e.g., from trigger module121) as an input, and in response to receiving trigger signals, provideswaveforms for generation of one or more tactile outputs (e.g., waveformsselected from a predefined set of waveforms designated for use bywaveform module 123, such as the waveforms described in greater detailbelow with reference to FIGS. 4F-4G).

Mixer 125 receives waveforms (e.g., from waveform module 123) as aninput, and mixes together the waveforms. For example, when mixer 125receives two or more waveforms (e.g., a first waveform in a firstchannel and a second waveform that at least partially overlaps with thefirst waveform in a second channel) mixer 125 outputs a combinedwaveform that corresponds to a sum of the two or more waveforms. In someembodiments, mixer 125 also modifies one or more waveforms of the two ormore waveforms to emphasize particular waveform(s) over the rest of thetwo or more waveforms (e.g., by increasing a scale of the particularwaveform(s) and/or decreasing a scale of the rest of the waveforms). Insome circumstances, mixer 125 selects one or more waveforms to removefrom the combined waveform (e.g., the waveform from the oldest source isdropped when there are waveforms from more than three sources that havebeen requested to be output concurrently by tactile output generator167).

Compressor 127 receives waveforms (e.g., a combined waveform from mixer125) as an input, and modifies the waveforms. In some embodiments,compressor 127 reduces the waveforms (e.g., in accordance with physicalspecifications of tactile output generators 167 (FIG. 1A) or 357 (FIG.3)) so that tactile outputs corresponding to the waveforms are reduced.In some embodiments, compressor 127 limits the waveforms, such as byenforcing a predefined maximum amplitude for the waveforms. For example,compressor 127 reduces amplitudes of portions of waveforms that exceed apredefined amplitude threshold while maintaining amplitudes of portionsof waveforms that do not exceed the predefined amplitude threshold. Insome embodiments, compressor 127 reduces a dynamic range of thewaveforms. In some embodiments, compressor 127 dynamically reduces thedynamic range of the waveforms so that the combined waveforms remainwithin performance specifications of the tactile output generator 167(e.g., force and/or moveable mass displacement limits).

Low-pass filter 129 receives waveforms (e.g., compressed waveforms fromcompressor 127) as an input, and filters (e.g., smooths) the waveforms(e.g., removes or reduces high frequency signal components in thewaveforms). For example, in some instances, compressor 127 includes, incompressed waveforms, extraneous signals (e.g., high frequency signalcomponents) that interfere with the generation of tactile outputs and/orexceed performance specifications of tactile output generator 167 whenthe tactile outputs are generated in accordance with the compressedwaveforms. Low-pass filter 129 reduces or removes such extraneoussignals in the waveforms.

Thermal controller 131 receives waveforms (e.g., filtered waveforms fromlow-pass filter 129) as an input, and adjusts the waveforms inaccordance with thermal conditions of device 100 (e.g., based oninternal temperatures detected within device 100, such as thetemperature of haptic feedback controller 161, and/or externaltemperatures detected by device 100). For example, in some cases, theoutput of haptic feedback controller 161 varies depending on thetemperature (e.g. haptic feedback controller 161, in response toreceiving same waveforms, generates a first tactile output when hapticfeedback controller 161 is at a first temperature and generates a secondtactile output when haptic feedback controller 161 is at a secondtemperature that is distinct from the first temperature). For example,the magnitude (or the amplitude) of the tactile outputs may varydepending on the temperature. To reduce the effect of the temperaturevariations, the waveforms are modified (e.g., an amplitude of thewaveforms is increased or decreased based on the temperature).

In some embodiments, haptic feedback module 133 (e.g., trigger module121) is coupled to hardware input processing module 146. In someembodiments, other input controller(s) 160 in FIG. 1A includes hardwareinput processing module 146. In some embodiments, hardware inputprocessing module 146 receives inputs from hardware input device 145(e.g., other input or control devices 116 in FIG. 1A, such as a homebutton or an intensity-sensitive input surface, such as anintensity-sensitive touch screen). In some embodiments, hardware inputdevice 145 is any input device described herein, such as touch-sensitivedisplay system 112 (FIG. 1A), keyboard/mouse 350 (FIG. 3), touchpad 355(FIG. 3), one of other input or control devices 116 (FIG. 1A), or anintensity-sensitive home button. In some embodiments, hardware inputdevice 145 consists of an intensity-sensitive home button, and nottouch-sensitive display system 112 (FIG. 1A), keyboard/mouse 350 (FIG.3), or touchpad 355 (FIG. 3). In some embodiments, in response to inputsfrom hardware input device 145 (e.g., an intensity-sensitive home buttonor a touch screen), hardware input processing module 146 provides one ormore trigger signals to haptic feedback module 133 to indicate that auser input satisfying predefined input criteria, such as an inputcorresponding to a “click” of a home button (e.g., a “down click” or an“up click”), has been detected. In some embodiments, haptic feedbackmodule 133 provides waveforms that correspond to the “click” of a homebutton in response to the input corresponding to the “click” of a homebutton, simulating a haptic feedback of pressing a physical home button.

In some embodiments, the tactile output module includes haptic feedbackcontroller 161 (e.g., haptic feedback controller 161 in FIG. 1A), whichcontrols the generation of tactile outputs. In some embodiments, hapticfeedback controller 161 is coupled to a plurality of tactile outputgenerators, and selects one or more tactile output generators of theplurality of tactile output generators and sends waveforms to theselected one or more tactile output generators for generating tactileoutputs. In some embodiments, haptic feedback controller 161 coordinatestactile output requests that correspond to activation of hardware inputdevice 145 and tactile output requests that correspond to softwareevents (e.g., tactile output requests from haptic feedback module 133)and modifies one or more waveforms of the two or more waveforms toemphasize particular waveform(s) over the rest of the two or morewaveforms (e.g., by increasing a scale of the particular waveform(s)and/or decreasing a scale of the rest of the waveforms, such as toprioritize tactile outputs that correspond to activations of hardwareinput device 145 over tactile outputs that correspond to softwareevents).

In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 1C, an output of haptic feedbackcontroller 161 is coupled to audio circuitry of device 100 (e.g., audiocircuitry 110, FIG. 1A), and provides audio signals to audio circuitryof device 100. In some embodiments, haptic feedback controller 161provides both waveforms used for generating tactile outputs and audiosignals used for providing audio outputs in conjunction with generationof the tactile outputs. In some embodiments, haptic feedback controller161 modifies audio signals and/or waveforms (used for generating tactileoutputs) so that the audio outputs and the tactile outputs aresynchronized (e.g., by delaying the audio signals and/or waveforms). Insome embodiments, haptic feedback controller 161 includes adigital-to-analog converter used for converting digital waveforms intoanalog signals, which are received by amplifier 163 and/or tactileoutput generator 167.

In some embodiments, the tactile output module includes amplifier 163.In some embodiments, amplifier 163 receives waveforms (e.g., from hapticfeedback controller 161) and amplifies the waveforms prior to sendingthe amplified waveforms to tactile output generator 167 (e.g., any oftactile output generators 167 (FIG. 1A) or 357 (FIG. 3)). For example,amplifier 163 amplifies the received waveforms to signal levels that arein accordance with physical specifications of tactile output generator167 (e.g., to a voltage and/or a current required by tactile outputgenerator 167 for generating tactile outputs so that the signals sent totactile output generator 167 produce tactile outputs that correspond tothe waveforms received from haptic feedback controller 161) and sendsthe amplified waveforms to tactile output generator 167. In response,tactile output generator 167 generates tactile outputs (e.g., byshifting a moveable mass back and forth in one or more dimensionsrelative to a neutral position of the moveable mass).

In some embodiments, the tactile output module includes sensor 169,which is coupled to tactile output generator 167. Sensor 169 detectsstates or state changes (e.g., mechanical position, physicaldisplacement, and/or movement) of tactile output generator 167 or one ormore components of tactile output generator 167 (e.g., one or moremoving parts, such as a membrane, used to generate tactile outputs). Insome embodiments, sensor 169 is a magnetic field sensor (e.g., a Halleffect sensor) or other displacement and/or movement sensor. In someembodiments, sensor 169 provides information (e.g., a position, adisplacement, and/or a movement of one or more parts in tactile outputgenerator 167) to haptic feedback controller 161 and, in accordance withthe information provided by sensor 169 about the state of tactile outputgenerator 167, haptic feedback controller 161 adjusts the waveformsoutput from haptic feedback controller 161 (e.g., waveforms sent totactile output generator 167, optionally via amplifier 163).

FIG. 2 illustrates a portable multifunction device 100 having a touchscreen (e.g., touch-sensitive display system 112, FIG. 1A) in accordancewith some embodiments. The touch screen optionally displays one or moregraphics within user interface (UI) 200. In these embodiments, as wellas others described below, a user is enabled to select one or more ofthe graphics by making a gesture on the graphics, for example, with oneor more fingers 202 (not drawn to scale in the figure) or one or morestyluses 203 (not drawn to scale in the figure). In some embodiments,selection of one or more graphics occurs when the user breaks contactwith the one or more graphics. In some embodiments, the gestureoptionally includes one or more taps, one or more swipes (from left toright, right to left, upward and/or downward) and/or a rolling of afinger (from right to left, left to right, upward and/or downward) thathas made contact with device 100. In some implementations orcircumstances, inadvertent contact with a graphic does not select thegraphic. For example, a swipe gesture that sweeps over an applicationicon optionally does not select the corresponding application when thegesture corresponding to selection is a tap.

Device 100 optionally also includes one or more physical buttons, suchas “home” or menu button 204. As described previously, menu button 204is, optionally, used to navigate to any application 136 in a set ofapplications that are, optionally executed on device 100. Alternatively,in some embodiments, the menu button is implemented as a soft key in aGUI displayed on the touch-screen display.

In some embodiments, device 100 includes the touch-screen display, menubutton 204 (sometimes called home button 204), push button 206 forpowering the device on/off and locking the device, volume adjustmentbutton(s) 208, Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) card slot 210, head setjack 212, and docking/charging external port 124. Push button 206 is,optionally, used to turn the power on/off on the device by depressingthe button and holding the button in the depressed state for apredefined time interval; to lock the device by depressing the buttonand releasing the button before the predefined time interval haselapsed; and/or to unlock the device or initiate an unlock process. Insome embodiments, device 100 also accepts verbal input for activation ordeactivation of some functions through microphone 113. Device 100 also,optionally, includes one or more contact intensity sensors 165 fordetecting intensities of contacts on touch-sensitive display system 112and/or one or more tactile output generators 167 for generating tactileoutputs for a user of device 100.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an example multifunction device with adisplay and a touch-sensitive surface in accordance with someembodiments. Device 300 need not be portable. In some embodiments,device 300 is a laptop computer, a desktop computer, a tablet computer,a multimedia player device, a navigation device, an educational device(such as a child's learning toy), a gaming system, or a control device(e.g., a home or industrial controller). Device 300 typically includesone or more processing units (CPU's) 310, one or more network or othercommunications interfaces 360, memory 370, and one or more communicationbuses 320 for interconnecting these components. Communication buses 320optionally include circuitry (sometimes called a chipset) thatinterconnects and controls communications between system components.Device 300 includes input/output (I/O) interface 330 comprising display340, which is typically a touch-screen display. I/O interface 330 alsooptionally includes a keyboard and/or mouse (or other pointing device)350 and touchpad 355, tactile output generator 357 for generatingtactile outputs on device 300 (e.g., similar to tactile outputgenerator(s) 167 described above with reference to FIG. 1A), sensors 359(e.g., optical, acceleration, proximity, touch-sensitive, and/or contactintensity sensors similar to contact intensity sensor(s) 165 describedabove with reference to FIG. 1A). Memory 370 includes high-speed randomaccess memory, such as DRAM, SRAM, DDR RAM or other random access solidstate memory devices; and optionally includes non-volatile memory, suchas one or more magnetic disk storage devices, optical disk storagedevices, flash memory devices, or other non-volatile solid state storagedevices. Memory 370 optionally includes one or more storage devicesremotely located from CPU(s) 310. In some embodiments, memory 370 storesprograms, modules, and data structures analogous to the programs,modules, and data structures stored in memory 102 of portablemultifunction device 100 (FIG. 1A), or a subset thereof. Furthermore,memory 370 optionally stores additional programs, modules, and datastructures not present in memory 102 of portable multifunction device100. For example, memory 370 of device 300 optionally stores drawingmodule 380, presentation module 382, word processing module 384, websitecreation module 386, disk authoring module 388, and/or spreadsheetmodule 390, while memory 102 of portable multifunction device 100 (FIG.1A) optionally does not store these modules.

Each of the above identified elements in FIG. 3 are, optionally, storedin one or more of the previously mentioned memory devices. Each of theabove identified modules corresponds to a set of instructions forperforming a function described above. The above identified modules orprograms (i.e., sets of instructions) need not be implemented asseparate software programs, procedures or modules, and thus varioussubsets of these modules are, optionally, combined or otherwisere-arranged in various embodiments. In some embodiments, memory 370optionally stores a subset of the modules and data structures identifiedabove. Furthermore, memory 370 optionally stores additional modules anddata structures not described above.

Attention is now directed towards embodiments of user interfaces (“UI”)that are, optionally, implemented on portable multifunction device 100.

FIG. 4A illustrates an example user interface for a menu of applicationson portable multifunction device 100 in accordance with someembodiments. Similar user interfaces are, optionally, implemented ondevice 300. In some embodiments, user interface 400 includes thefollowing elements, or a subset or superset thereof:

-   -   Signal strength indicator(s) 402 for wireless communication(s),        such as cellular and Wi-Fi signals;    -   Time 404;    -   a Bluetooth indicator;    -   Battery status indicator 406;    -   Tray 408 with icons for frequently used applications, such as:        -   Icon 416 for telephone module 138, labeled “Phone,” which            optionally includes an indicator 414 of the number of missed            calls or voicemail messages;        -   Icon 418 for e-mail client module 140, labeled “Mail,” which            optionally includes an indicator 410 of the number of unread            e-mails;        -   Icon 420 for browser module 147, labeled “Browser;” and        -   Icon 422 for video and music player module 152, also            referred to as iPod (trademark of Apple Inc.) module 152,            labeled “iPod;” and    -   Icons for other applications, such as:        -   Icon 424 for IM module 141, labeled “Messages;”        -   Icon 426 for calendar module 148, labeled “Calendar;”        -   Icon 428 for image management module 144, labeled “Photos;”        -   Icon 430 for camera module 143, labeled “Camera;”        -   Icon 432 for online video module 155, labeled “Online            Video;”        -   Icon 434 for stocks widget 149-2, labeled “Stocks;”        -   Icon 436 for map module 154, labeled “Maps;”        -   Icon 438 for weather widget 149-1, labeled “Weather;”        -   Icon 440 for alarm clock widget 149-4, labeled “Clock;”        -   Icon 442 for workout support module 142, labeled “Workout            Support;”        -   Icon 444 for notes module 153, labeled “Notes;” and        -   Icon 446 for a settings application or module, which            provides access to settings for device 100 and its various            applications 136.

It should be noted that the icon labels illustrated in FIG. 4A aremerely examples. For example, in some embodiments, icon 422 for videoand music player module 152 is labeled “Music” or “Music Player.” Otherlabels are, optionally, used for various application icons. In someembodiments, a label for a respective application icon includes a nameof an application corresponding to the respective application icon. Insome embodiments, a label for a particular application icon is distinctfrom a name of an application corresponding to the particularapplication icon.

FIG. 4B illustrates an example user interface on a device (e.g., device300, FIG. 3) with a touch-sensitive surface 451 (e.g., a tablet ortouchpad 355, FIG. 3) that is separate from the display 450. Device 300also, optionally, includes one or more contact intensity sensors (e.g.,one or more of sensors 357) for detecting intensity of contacts ontouch-sensitive surface 451 and/or one or more tactile output generators359 for generating tactile outputs for a user of device 300.

FIG. 4B illustrates an example user interface on a device (e.g., device300, FIG. 3) with a touch-sensitive surface 451 (e.g., a tablet ortouchpad 355, FIG. 3) that is separate from the display 450. Althoughmany of the examples that follow will be given with reference to inputson touch screen display 112 (where the touch sensitive surface and thedisplay are combined), in some embodiments, the device detects inputs ona touch-sensitive surface that is separate from the display, as shown inFIG. 4B. In some embodiments, the touch-sensitive surface (e.g., 451 inFIG. 4B) has a primary axis (e.g., 452 in FIG. 4B) that corresponds to aprimary axis (e.g., 453 in FIG. 4B) on the display (e.g., 450). Inaccordance with these embodiments, the device detects contacts (e.g.,460 and 462 in FIG. 4B) with the touch-sensitive surface 451 atlocations that correspond to respective locations on the display (e.g.,in FIG. 4B, 460 corresponds to 468 and 462 corresponds to 470). In thisway, user inputs (e.g., contacts 460 and 462, and movements thereof)detected by the device on the touch-sensitive surface (e.g., 451 in FIG.4B) are used by the device to manipulate the user interface on thedisplay (e.g., 450 in FIG. 4B) of the multifunction device when thetouch-sensitive surface is separate from the display. It should beunderstood that similar methods are, optionally, used for other userinterfaces described herein.

Additionally, while the following examples are given primarily withreference to finger inputs (e.g., finger contacts, finger tap gestures,finger swipe gestures, etc.), it should be understood that, in someembodiments, one or more of the finger inputs are replaced with inputfrom another input device (e.g., a mouse based input or a stylus input).For example, a swipe gesture is, optionally, replaced with a mouse click(e.g., instead of a contact) followed by movement of the cursor alongthe path of the swipe (e.g., instead of movement of the contact). Asanother example, a tap gesture is, optionally, replaced with a mouseclick while the cursor is located over the location of the tap gesture(e.g., instead of detection of the contact followed by ceasing to detectthe contact). Similarly, when multiple user inputs are simultaneouslydetected, it should be understood that multiple computer mice are,optionally, used simultaneously, or a mouse and finger contacts are,optionally, used simultaneously.

As used herein, the term “focus selector” refers to an input elementthat indicates a current part of a user interface with which a user isinteracting. In some implementations that include a cursor or otherlocation marker, the cursor acts as a “focus selector,” so that when aninput (e.g., a press input) is detected on a touch-sensitive surface(e.g., touchpad 355 in FIG. 3 or touch-sensitive surface 451 in FIG. 4B)while the cursor is over a particular user interface element (e.g., abutton, window, slider or other user interface element), the particularuser interface element is adjusted in accordance with the detectedinput. In some implementations that include a touch-screen display(e.g., touch-sensitive display system 112 in FIG. 1A or the touch screenin FIG. 4A) that enables direct interaction with user interface elementson the touch-screen display, a detected contact on the touch-screen actsas a “focus selector,” so that when an input (e.g., a press input by thecontact) is detected on the touch-screen display at a location of aparticular user interface element (e.g., a button, window, slider orother user interface element), the particular user interface element isadjusted in accordance with the detected input. In some implementations,focus is moved from one region of a user interface to another region ofthe user interface without corresponding movement of a cursor ormovement of a contact on a touch-screen display (e.g., by using a tabkey or arrow keys to move focus from one button to another button); inthese implementations, the focus selector moves in accordance withmovement of focus between different regions of the user interface.Without regard to the specific form taken by the focus selector, thefocus selector is generally the user interface element (or contact on atouch-screen display) that is controlled by the user so as tocommunicate the user's intended interaction with the user interface(e.g., by indicating, to the device, the element of the user interfacewith which the user is intending to interact). For example, the locationof a focus selector (e.g., a cursor, a contact, or a selection box) overa respective button while a press input is detected on thetouch-sensitive surface (e.g., a touchpad or touch screen) will indicatethat the user is intending to activate the respective button (as opposedto other user interface elements shown on a display of the device).

As used in the specification and claims, the term “intensity” of acontact on a touch-sensitive surface refers to the force or pressure(force per unit area) of a contact (e.g., a finger contact or a styluscontact) on the touch-sensitive surface, or to a substitute (proxy) forthe force or pressure of a contact on the touch-sensitive surface. Theintensity of a contact has a range of values that includes at least fourdistinct values and more typically includes hundreds of distinct values(e.g., at least 256). Intensity of a contact is, optionally, determined(or measured) using various approaches and various sensors orcombinations of sensors. For example, one or more force sensorsunderneath or adjacent to the touch-sensitive surface are, optionally,used to measure force at various points on the touch-sensitive surface.In some implementations, force measurements from multiple force sensorsare combined (e.g., a weighted average or a sum) to determine anestimated force of a contact. Similarly, a pressure-sensitive tip of astylus is, optionally, used to determine a pressure of the stylus on thetouch-sensitive surface. Alternatively, the size of the contact areadetected on the touch-sensitive surface and/or changes thereto, thecapacitance of the touch-sensitive surface proximate to the contactand/or changes thereto, and/or the resistance of the touch-sensitivesurface proximate to the contact and/or changes thereto are, optionally,used as a substitute for the force or pressure of the contact on thetouch-sensitive surface. In some implementations, the substitutemeasurements for contact force or pressure are used directly todetermine whether an intensity threshold has been exceeded (e.g., theintensity threshold is described in units corresponding to thesubstitute measurements). In some implementations, the substitutemeasurements for contact force or pressure are converted to an estimatedforce or pressure and the estimated force or pressure is used todetermine whether an intensity threshold has been exceeded (e.g., theintensity threshold is a pressure threshold measured in units ofpressure). Using the intensity of a contact as an attribute of a userinput allows for user access to additional device functionality that mayotherwise not be readily accessible by the user on a reduced-size devicewith limited real estate for displaying affordances (e.g., on atouch-sensitive display) and/or receiving user input (e.g., via atouch-sensitive display, a touch-sensitive surface, or aphysical/mechanical control such as a knob or a button).

In some embodiments, contact/motion module 130 uses a set of one or moreintensity thresholds to determine whether an operation has beenperformed by a user (e.g., to determine whether a user has “clicked” onan icon). In some embodiments, at least a subset of the intensitythresholds are determined in accordance with software parameters (e.g.,the intensity thresholds are not determined by the activation thresholdsof particular physical actuators and can be adjusted without changingthe physical hardware of device 100). For example, a mouse “click”threshold of a trackpad or touch-screen display can be set to any of alarge range of predefined thresholds values without changing thetrackpad or touch-screen display hardware. Additionally, in someimplementations a user of the device is provided with software settingsfor adjusting one or more of the set of intensity thresholds (e.g., byadjusting individual intensity thresholds and/or by adjusting aplurality of intensity thresholds at once with a system-level click“intensity” parameter).

As used in the specification and claims, the term “characteristicintensity” of a contact refers to a characteristic of the contact basedon one or more intensities of the contact. In some embodiments, thecharacteristic intensity is based on multiple intensity samples. Thecharacteristic intensity is, optionally, based on a predefined number ofintensity samples, or a set of intensity samples collected during apredetermined time period (e.g., 0.05, 0.1, 0.2, 0.5, 1, 2, 5, 10seconds) relative to a predefined event (e.g., after detecting thecontact, prior to detecting liftoff of the contact, before or afterdetecting a start of movement of the contact, prior to detecting an endof the contact, before or after detecting an increase in intensity ofthe contact, and/or before or after detecting a decrease in intensity ofthe contact). A characteristic intensity of a contact is, optionallybased on one or more of: a maximum value of the intensities of thecontact, a mean value of the intensities of the contact, an averagevalue of the intensities of the contact, a top 10 percentile value ofthe intensities of the contact, a value at the half maximum of theintensities of the contact, a value at the 90 percent maximum of theintensities of the contact, a value produced by low-pass filtering theintensity of the contact over a predefined period or starting at apredefined time, or the like. In some embodiments, the duration of thecontact is used in determining the characteristic intensity (e.g., whenthe characteristic intensity is an average of the intensity of thecontact over time). In some embodiments, the characteristic intensity iscompared to a set of one or more intensity thresholds to determinewhether an operation has been performed by a user. For example, the setof one or more intensity thresholds may include a first intensitythreshold and a second intensity threshold. In this example, a contactwith a characteristic intensity that does not exceed the first intensitythreshold results in a first operation, a contact with a characteristicintensity that exceeds the first intensity threshold and does not exceedthe second intensity threshold results in a second operation, and acontact with a characteristic intensity that exceeds the secondintensity threshold results in a third operation. In some embodiments, acomparison between the characteristic intensity and one or moreintensity thresholds is used to determine whether or not to perform oneor more operations (e.g., whether to perform a respective option orforgo performing the respective operation) rather than being used todetermine whether to perform a first operation or a second operation.

In some embodiments, a portion of a gesture is identified for purposesof determining a characteristic intensity. For example, atouch-sensitive surface may receive a continuous swipe contacttransitioning from a start location and reaching an end location (e.g.,a drag gesture), at which point the intensity of the contact increases.In this example, the characteristic intensity of the contact at the endlocation may be based on only a portion of the continuous swipe contact,and not the entire swipe contact (e.g., only the portion of the swipecontact at the end location). In some embodiments, a smoothing algorithmmay be applied to the intensities of the swipe contact prior todetermining the characteristic intensity of the contact. For example,the smoothing algorithm optionally includes one or more of: anunweighted sliding-average smoothing algorithm, a triangular smoothingalgorithm, a median filter smoothing algorithm, and/or an exponentialsmoothing algorithm. In some circumstances, these smoothing algorithmseliminate narrow spikes or dips in the intensities of the swipe contactfor purposes of determining a characteristic intensity.

The user interface figures described herein optionally include variousintensity diagrams that show the current intensity of the contact on thetouch-sensitive surface relative to one or more intensity thresholds(e.g., a contact detection intensity threshold IT₀, a light pressintensity threshold IT_(L), a deep press intensity threshold IT_(D)(e.g., that is at least initially higher than IT_(L)), and/or one ormore other intensity thresholds (e.g., an intensity threshold IT_(H)that is lower than IT_(L))). This intensity diagram is typically notpart of the displayed user interface, but is provided to aid in theinterpretation of the figures. In some embodiments, the light pressintensity threshold corresponds to an intensity at which the device willperform operations typically associated with clicking a button of aphysical mouse or a trackpad. In some embodiments, the deep pressintensity threshold corresponds to an intensity at which the device willperform operations that are different from operations typicallyassociated with clicking a button of a physical mouse or a trackpad. Insome embodiments, when a contact is detected with a characteristicintensity below the light press intensity threshold (e.g., and above anominal contact-detection intensity threshold IT₀ below which thecontact is no longer detected), the device will move a focus selector inaccordance with movement of the contact on the touch-sensitive surfacewithout performing an operation associated with the light pressintensity threshold or the deep press intensity threshold. Generally,unless otherwise stated, these intensity thresholds are consistentbetween different sets of user interface figures.

In some embodiments, the response of the device to inputs detected bythe device depends on criteria based on the contact intensity during theinput. For example, for some “light press” inputs, the intensity of acontact exceeding a first intensity threshold during the input triggersa first response. In some embodiments, the response of the device toinputs detected by the device depends on criteria that include both thecontact intensity during the input and time-based criteria. For example,for some “deep press” inputs, the intensity of a contact exceeding asecond intensity threshold during the input, greater than the firstintensity threshold for a light press, triggers a second response onlyif a delay time has elapsed between meeting the first intensitythreshold and meeting the second intensity threshold. This delay time istypically less than 200 ms (milliseconds) in duration (e.g., 40, 100, or120 ms, depending on the magnitude of the second intensity threshold,with the delay time increasing as the second intensity thresholdincreases). This delay time helps to avoid accidental recognition ofdeep press inputs. As another example, for some “deep press” inputs,there is a reduced-sensitivity time period that occurs after the time atwhich the first intensity threshold is met. During thereduced-sensitivity time period, the second intensity threshold isincreased. This temporary increase in the second intensity thresholdalso helps to avoid accidental deep press inputs. For other deep pressinputs, the response to detection of a deep press input does not dependon time-based criteria.

In some embodiments, one or more of the input intensity thresholdsand/or the corresponding outputs vary based on one or more factors, suchas user settings, contact motion, input timing, application running,rate at which the intensity is applied, number of concurrent inputs,user history, environmental factors (e.g., ambient noise), focusselector position, and the like. Example factors are described in U.S.patent application Ser. Nos. 14/399,606 and 14/624,296, which areincorporated by reference herein in their entireties.

For example, FIG. 4C illustrates a dynamic intensity threshold 480 thatchanges over time based in part on the intensity of touch input 476 overtime. Dynamic intensity threshold 480 is a sum of two components, firstcomponent 474 that decays over time after a predefined delay time p1from when touch input 476 is initially detected, and second component478 that trails the intensity of touch input 476 over time. The initialhigh intensity threshold of first component 474 reduces accidentaltriggering of a “deep press” response, while still allowing an immediate“deep press” response if touch input 476 provides sufficient intensity.Second component 478 reduces unintentional triggering of a “deep press”response by gradual intensity fluctuations of in a touch input. In someembodiments, when touch input 476 satisfies dynamic intensity threshold480 (e.g., at point 481 in FIG. 4C), the “deep press” response istriggered.

FIG. 4D illustrates another dynamic intensity threshold 486 (e.g.,intensity threshold ID). FIG. 4D also illustrates two other intensitythresholds: a first intensity threshold I_(H) and a second intensitythreshold I_(L). In FIG. 4D, although touch input 484 satisfies thefirst intensity threshold I_(H) and the second intensity threshold I_(L)prior to time p2, no response is provided until delay time p2 haselapsed at time 482. Also in FIG. 4D, dynamic intensity threshold 486decays over time, with the decay starting at time 488 after a predefineddelay time p1 has elapsed from time 482 (when the response associatedwith the second intensity threshold I_(L) was triggered). This type ofdynamic intensity threshold reduces accidental triggering of a responseassociated with the dynamic intensity threshold ID immediately after, orconcurrently with, triggering a response associated with a lowerintensity threshold, such as the first intensity threshold I_(H) or thesecond intensity threshold I_(L).

FIG. 4E illustrate yet another dynamic intensity threshold 492 (e.g.,intensity threshold ID). In FIG. 4E, a response associated with theintensity threshold I_(L) is triggered after the delay time p2 haselapsed from when touch input 490 is initially detected. Concurrently,dynamic intensity threshold 492 decays after the predefined delay timep1 has elapsed from when touch input 490 is initially detected. So adecrease in intensity of touch input 490 after triggering the responseassociated with the intensity threshold I_(L), followed by an increasein the intensity of touch input 490, without releasing touch input 490,can trigger a response associated with the intensity threshold ID (e.g.,at time 494) even when the intensity of touch input 490 is below anotherintensity threshold, for example, the intensity threshold I_(L).

An increase of characteristic intensity of the contact from an intensitybelow the light press intensity threshold IT_(L) to an intensity betweenthe light press intensity threshold IT_(L) and the deep press intensitythreshold IT_(D) is sometimes referred to as a “light press” input. Anincrease of characteristic intensity of the contact from an intensitybelow the deep press intensity threshold IT_(D) to an intensity abovethe deep press intensity threshold IT_(D) is sometimes referred to as a“deep press” input. An increase of characteristic intensity of thecontact from an intensity below the contact-detection intensitythreshold IT₀ to an intensity between the contact-detection intensitythreshold IT₀ and the light press intensity threshold IT_(L) issometimes referred to as detecting the contact on the touch-surface. Adecrease of characteristic intensity of the contact from an intensityabove the contact-detection intensity threshold IT₀ to an intensitybelow the contact-detection intensity threshold IT₀ is sometimesreferred to as detecting liftoff of the contact from the touch-surface.In some embodiments IT₀ is zero. In some embodiments, IT₀ is greaterthan zero. In some illustrations a shaded circle or oval is used torepresent intensity of a contact on the touch-sensitive surface. In someillustrations, a circle or oval without shading is used represent arespective contact on the touch-sensitive surface without specifying theintensity of the respective contact.

In some embodiments, described herein, one or more operations areperformed in response to detecting a gesture that includes a respectivepress input or in response to detecting the respective press inputperformed with a respective contact (or a plurality of contacts), wherethe respective press input is detected based at least in part ondetecting an increase in intensity of the contact (or plurality ofcontacts) above a press-input intensity threshold. In some embodiments,the respective operation is performed in response to detecting theincrease in intensity of the respective contact above the press-inputintensity threshold (e.g., the respective operation is performed on a“down stroke” of the respective press input). In some embodiments, thepress input includes an increase in intensity of the respective contactabove the press-input intensity threshold and a subsequent decrease inintensity of the contact below the press-input intensity threshold, andthe respective operation is performed in response to detecting thesubsequent decrease in intensity of the respective contact below thepress-input threshold (e.g., the respective operation is performed on an“up stroke” of the respective press input).

In some embodiments, the device employs intensity hysteresis to avoidaccidental inputs sometimes termed “jitter,” where the device defines orselects a hysteresis intensity threshold with a predefined relationshipto the press-input intensity threshold (e.g., the hysteresis intensitythreshold is X intensity units lower than the press-input intensitythreshold or the hysteresis intensity threshold is 75%, 90%, or somereasonable proportion of the press-input intensity threshold). Thus, insome embodiments, the press input includes an increase in intensity ofthe respective contact above the press-input intensity threshold and asubsequent decrease in intensity of the contact below the hysteresisintensity threshold that corresponds to the press-input intensitythreshold, and the respective operation is performed in response todetecting the subsequent decrease in intensity of the respective contactbelow the hysteresis intensity threshold (e.g., the respective operationis performed on an “up stroke” of the respective press input).Similarly, in some embodiments, the press input is detected only whenthe device detects an increase in intensity of the contact from anintensity at or below the hysteresis intensity threshold to an intensityat or above the press-input intensity threshold and, optionally, asubsequent decrease in intensity of the contact to an intensity at orbelow the hysteresis intensity, and the respective operation isperformed in response to detecting the press input (e.g., the increasein intensity of the contact or the decrease in intensity of the contact,depending on the circumstances).

For ease of explanation, the description of operations performed inresponse to a press input associated with a press-input intensitythreshold or in response to a gesture including the press input are,optionally, triggered in response to detecting: an increase in intensityof a contact above the press-input intensity threshold, an increase inintensity of a contact from an intensity below the hysteresis intensitythreshold to an intensity above the press-input intensity threshold, adecrease in intensity of the contact below the press-input intensitythreshold, or a decrease in intensity of the contact below thehysteresis intensity threshold corresponding to the press-inputintensity threshold. Additionally, in examples where an operation isdescribed as being performed in response to detecting a decrease inintensity of a contact below the press-input intensity threshold, theoperation is, optionally, performed in response to detecting a decreasein intensity of the contact below a hysteresis intensity thresholdcorresponding to, and lower than, the press-input intensity threshold.As described above, in some embodiments, the triggering of theseresponses also depends on time-based criteria being met (e.g., a delaytime has elapsed between a first intensity threshold being met and asecond intensity threshold being met).

FIGS. 4F-4H provide a set of sample tactile output patterns that may beused, either individually or in combination, either as is or through oneor more transformations (e.g., modulation, amplification, truncation,etc.), to create suitable haptic feedback in various scenarios and forvarious purposes, such as those mentioned above and those described withrespect to the user interfaces and methods discussed herein. Thisexample of a palette of tactile outputs shows how a set of threewaveforms and eight frequencies can be used to produce an array oftactile output patterns. In addition to the tactile output patternsshown in this figure, each of these tactile output patterns isoptionally adjusted in amplitude by changing a gain value for thetactile output pattern, as shown, for example for FullTap 80 Hz, FullTap200 Hz, MiniTap 80 Hz, MiniTap 200 Hz, MicroTap 80 Hz, and MicroTap 200Hz in FIGS. 4I-4K, which are each shown with variants having a gain of1.0, 0.75, 0.5, and 0.25. As shown in FIGS. 4I-4K, changing the gain ofa tactile output pattern changes the amplitude of the pattern withoutchanging the frequency of the pattern or changing the shape of thewaveform. In some embodiments, changing the frequency of a tactileoutput pattern also results in a lower amplitude as some tactile outputgenerators are limited by how much force can be applied to the moveablemass and thus higher frequency movements of the mass are constrained tolower amplitudes to ensure that the acceleration needed to create thewaveform does not require force outside of an operational force range ofthe tactile output generator (e.g., the peak amplitudes of the FullTapat 230 Hz, 270 Hz, and 300 Hz are lower than the amplitudes of theFullTap at 80 Hz, 100 Hz, 125 Hz, and 200 Hz).

FIGS. 4F-4K show tactile output patterns that have a particularwaveform. The waveform of a tactile output pattern represents thepattern of physical displacements relative to a neutral position (e.g.,x_(zero)) versus time that an moveable mass goes through to generate atactile output with that tactile output pattern. For example, a firstset of tactile output patterns shown in FIG. 4F (e.g., tactile outputpatterns of a “FullTap”) each have a waveform that includes anoscillation with two complete cycles (e.g., an oscillation that startsand ends in a neutral position and crosses the neutral position threetimes). A second set of tactile output patterns shown in FIG. 4G (e.g.,tactile output patterns of a “MiniTap”) each have a waveform thatincludes an oscillation that includes one complete cycle (e.g., anoscillation that starts and ends in a neutral position and crosses theneutral position one time). A third set of tactile output patterns shownin FIG. 4H (e.g., tactile output patterns of a “MicroTap”) each have awaveform that includes an oscillation that include one half of acomplete cycle (e.g., an oscillation that starts and ends in a neutralposition and does not cross the neutral position). The waveform of atactile output pattern also includes a start buffer and an end bufferthat represent the gradual speeding up and slowing down of the moveablemass at the start and at the end of the tactile output. The examplewaveforms shown in FIGS. 4F-4K include x_(min) and x_(max) values whichrepresent the maximum and minimum extent of movement of the moveablemass. For larger electronic devices with larger moveable masses, theremay be larger or smaller minimum and maximum extents of movement of themass. The examples shown in FIGS. 4F-4K describe movement of a mass in 1dimension, however similar principles would also apply to movement of amoveable mass in two or three dimensions.

As shown in FIGS. 4F-4H, each tactile output pattern also has acorresponding characteristic frequency that affects the “pitch” of ahaptic sensation that is felt by a user from a tactile output with thatcharacteristic frequency. For a continuous tactile output, thecharacteristic frequency represents the number of cycles that arecompleted within a given period of time (e.g., cycles per second) by themoveable mass of the tactile output generator. For a discrete tactileoutput, a discrete output signal (e.g., with 0.5, 1, or 2 cycles) isgenerated, and the characteristic frequency value specifies how fast themoveable mass needs to move to generate a tactile output with thatcharacteristic frequency. As shown in FIGS. 4F-4H, for each type oftactile output (e.g., as defined by a respective waveform, such asFullTap, MiniTap, or MicroTap), a higher frequency value corresponds tofaster movement(s) by the moveable mass, and hence, in general, ashorter time to complete the tactile output (e.g., including the time tocomplete the required number of cycle(s) for the discrete tactileoutput, plus a start and an end buffer time). For example, a FullTapwith a characteristic frequency of 80 Hz takes longer to complete thanFullTap with a characteristic frequency of 100 Hz (e.g., 35.4 ms vs.28.3 ms in FIG. 4F). In addition, for a given frequency, a tactileoutput with more cycles in its waveform at a respective frequency takeslonger to complete than a tactile output with fewer cycles its waveformat the same respective frequency. For example, a FullTap at 150 Hz takeslonger to complete than a MiniTap at 150 Hz (e.g., 19.4 ms vs. 12.8 ms),and a MiniTap at 150 Hz takes longer to complete than a MicroTap at 150Hz (e.g., 12.8 ms vs. 9.4 ms). However, for tactile output patterns withdifferent frequencies this rule may not apply (e.g., tactile outputswith more cycles but a higher frequency may take a shorter amount oftime to complete than tactile outputs with fewer cycles but a lowerfrequency, and vice versa). For example, at 300 Hz, a FullTap takes aslong as a MiniTap (e.g., 9.9 ms).

As shown in FIGS. 4F-4H, a tactile output pattern also has acharacteristic amplitude that affects the amount of energy that iscontained in a tactile signal, or a “strength” of a haptic sensationthat may be felt by a user through a tactile output with thatcharacteristic amplitude. In some embodiments, the characteristicamplitude of a tactile output pattern refers to an absolute ornormalized value that represents the maximum displacement of themoveable mass from a neutral position when generating the tactileoutput. In some embodiments, the characteristic amplitude of a tactileoutput pattern is adjustable, e.g., by a fixed or dynamically determinedgain factor (e.g., a value between 0 and 1), in accordance with variousconditions (e.g., customized based on user interface contexts andbehaviors) and/or preconfigured metrics (e.g., input-based metrics,and/or user-interface-based metrics). In some embodiments, aninput-based metric (e.g., an intensity-change metric or an input-speedmetric) measures a characteristic of an input (e.g., a rate of change ofa characteristic intensity of a contact in a press input or a rate ofmovement of the contact across a touch-sensitive surface) during theinput that triggers generation of a tactile output. In some embodiments,a user-interface-based metric (e.g., a speed-across-boundary metric)measures a characteristic of a user interface element (e.g., a speed ofmovement of the element across a hidden or visible boundary in a userinterface) during the user interface change that triggers generation ofthe tactile output. In some embodiments, the characteristic amplitude ofa tactile output pattern may be modulated by an “envelope” and the peaksof adjacent cycles may have different amplitudes, where one of thewaveforms shown above is further modified by multiplication by anenvelope parameter that changes over time (e.g., from 0 to 1) togradually adjust amplitude of portions of the tactile output over timeas the tactile output is being generated.

Although specific frequencies, amplitudes, and waveforms are representedin the sample tactile output patterns in FIGS. 4F-4H for illustrativepurposes, tactile output patterns with other frequencies, amplitudes,and waveforms may be used for similar purposes. For example, waveformsthat have between 0.5 to 4 cycles can be used. Other frequencies in therange of 60 Hz-400 Hz may be used as well.

In some embodiments, for ringtones and/or alerts, tactile outputsincluding one or more of Vibe 150 Hz, MicroTap 150 Hz, MiniTap 150 Hz,and FullTap 150 Hz are used (to indicate an incoming phone call or areceived text message).

Although only specific frequencies, amplitudes, and waveforms arerepresented in the sample tactile output patterns in FIGS. 4F-4K forillustrative purposes, tactile output patterns with other frequencies,amplitudes, and waveforms may be used for similar purposes. For example,waveforms that have between 0.5 to 4 cycles can be used. Otherfrequencies in the range of 60 Hz-400 Hz may be used as well.

User Interfaces and Associated Processes

Attention is now directed towards embodiments of user interfaces (“UI”)and associated processes that may be implemented on an electronicdevice, such as portable multifunction device 100 or device 300, with adisplay, a touch-sensitive surface, optionally one or more tactileoutput generators for generating tactile outputs, and optionally one ormore sensors to detect intensities of contacts with the touch-sensitivesurface.

FIGS. 5A-5BB illustrate example user interfaces for providing hapticfeedback in accordance with some embodiments. The user interfaces inthese figures are used to illustrate the processes described below,including the processes in FIGS. 6A-6C, 7A-7D, 8A-8C, 9, 10, 11A-11B,and 12A-12D. For convenience of explanation, some of the embodimentswill be discussed with reference to operations performed on a devicewith a touch-sensitive display system 112. In such embodiments, thefocus selector is, optionally: a respective finger or stylus contact, arepresentative point corresponding to a finger or stylus contact (e.g.,a centroid of a respective contact or a point associated with arespective contact), or a centroid of two or more contacts detected onthe touch-sensitive display system 112. However, analogous operationsare, optionally, performed on a device with a display 450 and a separatetouch-sensitive surface 451 in response to detecting the contacts on thetouch-sensitive surface 451 while displaying the user interfaces shownin the figures on the display 450, along with a focus selector.

FIG. 5A-5E illustrate example user interfaces with adjustable controls,in accordance with some embodiments.

In FIG. 5A, a user interface 5002 includes a first adjustable control5004 and a second adjustable control 5006. For example, user interface5002 is a user interface for a music player application, firstadjustable control 5004 is a playback position adjustment control, andsecond adjustable control 5006 is a volume adjustment control. In someembodiments, user interface 5002 includes additional controls, such asprevious track control 5008 (e.g., for initiating playback from thebeginning of a current track and/or from a previous track), pause/playcontrol 5010 (e.g., for pausing and/or playing a current track), andnext track control 5012 (e.g., for playing a next track).

FIGS. 5B-1, 5B-2, 5C-1, 5C-2, and 5C-3 illustrate portion 5014 of userinterface 5002, as indicated with a dotted line in FIG. 5A.

In FIG. 5B-1, a contact moves in a drag gesture across first adjustablecontrol 5004 from a first position indicated by focus selector 5016 a toa second position indicated by focus selector 5016 b along a pathindicated by arrow 5018. For example, the drag gesture moves playhead5020 forward along playback position slider 5021 to adjust a playbackposition in a media file (e.g., an audio track).

FIG. 5B-2 illustrates tactile outputs that are generated as the draggesture illustrated in FIG. 5B-2 occurs, in accordance with someembodiments. Each line shown along row 5020, which corresponds to firstadjustable control 5004 of FIG. 5B-1, represents a discrete tactileoutput (e.g., a haptic event that causes a tap sensation that isexperienced by a contact, such as a finger, at a location indicated byfocus selector 5016). The length of a line in row 5022 (e.g., line 5023)represents an amplitude of a tactile output event, and the spacingbetween the lines of row 5022 indicates the distribution of tactileoutput along the adjustable control (e.g., corresponding to a frequencywith which the tactile output events occur if the focus selector movesacross the adjustable control at a constant speed). As a contact isdragged across row 5022 along the path indicated by arrow 5018, a seriesof tactile outputs that correspond to first adjustable control 5004(e.g., tactile outputs represented by the lines shown within bracket5024) are provided. The tactile outputs that correspond to firstadjustable control 5004 occur at evenly spaced intervals and eachtactile output of the series has the same amplitude.

In FIG. 5C-1, a contact moves in a drag gesture across second adjustablecontrol 5006 from a first position indicated by focus selector 5026 a toa second position indicated by focus selector 5026 b along a pathindicated by arrow 5028. For example, the drag gesture moves volumecontrol 5030 forward in the volume slider 5032 to increase the soundlevel at which media is played back.

FIG. 5C-2 illustrates a series of tactile outputs that are generated asthe drag gesture illustrated in FIG. 5C-1 occurs, in accordance withsome embodiments. Each line shown along row 5034, which corresponds tosecond adjustable control 5006 of FIG. 5C-1, represents a discretetactile output. The lengths of the lines in row 5034 increase from leftto right, indicating that the amplitude of tactile output events isincreasing as the focus selector moves from left to right. As a contactis dragged across row 5034 along the path indicated by arrow 5028, aseries of tactile outputs that correspond to second adjustable control5006 (e.g., tactile outputs represented by the lines shown withinbracket 5036) are provided. The tactile outputs that correspond tosecond adjustable control 5006, as illustrated in 5C-2, occur at evenlyspaced intervals and gradually increase in amplitude.

FIG. 5C-3 illustrates a series of tactile outputs that are generated asthe drag gesture illustrated in FIG. 5C-1 occurs, in accordance withsome embodiments. Each line shown along row 5040, which corresponds tosecond adjustable control 5006 of FIG. 5C-1, represents a discretetactile output. The spacing between lines in row 5040 decreases fromleft to right, indicating that the distribution of tactile output eventsalong the second adjustable control 5006 (e.g., corresponding to afrequency with which the tactile output events occur if the focusselector moves across the adjustable control at a constant speed) isincreasing as the focus selector moves from left to right. As a contactis dragged across row 5040 along the path indicated by arrow 5028, aseries of tactile outputs that correspond to second adjustable control5006 (e.g., tactile outputs represented by the lines shown withinbracket 5040) are provided. The tactile outputs that correspond tosecond adjustable control 5006, as illustrated in 5C-3, have the sameamplitude and occur at gradually decreasing time intervals.

In some embodiments, tactile output is provided for previous trackcontrol 5008, pause/play control 5010, and/or next track control 5012,e.g., as indicated at 5042, 5044, 5046, and 5048 of 5C-2 and 5C-3. Forexample, in some embodiments, a single tap, as indicated at 5042, isprovided when input is detected at previous track control 5008. In someembodiments, a single tap, as indicated at 5048, is provided when inputis detected at next track control 5012. In some embodiments, a number oftactile outputs provided by a control is based on a number of states ofthe control. For example, in some embodiments, a two-state control suchas pause/play control 5010 provides a tactile output having a firsttactile output profile (e.g., a tactile output with a first intensity)when the state of the control changes from pause to play, as indicatedat 5044, and a second tactile output profile (e.g., a tactile outputwith a second intensity that is greater than the first intensity and/ora spring oscillation effect) when the state of the control changes fromplay to pause, as indicated at 5046.

FIGS. 5D-1 and 5D-2 illustrate tactile output provided at endpoints ofan adjustable control 5004. In some embodiments, one or more endpointtactile outputs are provided when an endpoint of an adjustable controlis reached. In this manner, a user is provided with feedback indicatingthat, e.g., a minimum point or maximum point of an adjustable controlhas been reached, such as a beginning point or endpoint of a media file.For example, when playhead 5020 is dragged to left endpoint 5050 ofplayback position slider 5021, as indicated by focus selector 5052 shownin FIG. 5D-1, a tactile output 5054 is provided, as indicated in FIG.5D-2. Compared with other tactile outputs of adjustable control 5004(such as the tactile outputs shown in bracket 5056), left endpointtactile output 5058 has at least one different characteristic, such as ahigher amplitude. When playhead 5020 is dragged to right endpoint 5060of playback position slider 5021, right endpoint tactile outputs 5062are provided. Compared with other tactile outputs of adjustable control5004 (such as the tactile outputs shown in bracket 5056), right endpointtactile outputs 5062 have higher amplitudes.

FIGS. 5E-1 and 5E-2 illustrate tactile output provided at chaptermarkers for media content. In FIG. 5E-1, a contact moves in a draggesture across adjustable control 5070 from a first position indicatedby focus selector 5072 a to a second position indicated by focusselector 5072 b along a path indicated by arrow 5074. For example, thedrag gesture moves playhead 5076 forward along playback position slider5078 to adjust a playback position in a media file (e.g., an audiobook).

FIG. 5E-2 illustrates a series of tactile outputs that are generated asthe drag gesture illustrated in FIG. 5E-1 occurs, in accordance withsome embodiments. Each line shown along row 5084, which corresponds tosecond adjustable control 5070 of FIG. 5E-1, represents a discretetactile output. Lines at positions in row 5084 that correspond tochapter markers (e.g., line 5080) are longer than lines that do notcorrespond to chapter markers (e.g., line 5082), indicating that theamplitude of tactile output events is greater at chapter markerpositions than at positions that do not correspond to chapter markers.As a contact is dragged across row 5084 along the path indicated byarrow 5074, a series of tactile outputs that correspond to adjustablecontrol 5070 are provided, including high amplitude tactile outputscorresponding to chapter markers at 5086, 5088, 5090, and 5092.

FIGS. 5F-5K illustrate a tactile output that varies based on acharacteristic intensity of a contact. In FIG. 5F, a contact is detectedon touch-sensitive display system 112 at a location indicated by focusselector 5100. The location of focus selector 5100 within user interface5102 (e.g., a mail inbox interface) corresponds to a content item (e.g.,a preview of mail content). A characteristic intensity of the contact isabove a detection threshold intensity IT₀ and below a hint thresholdintensity IT_(H), as indicated at intensity meter 5104.

In FIG. 5G, the characteristic intensity of the contact indicated byfocus selector 5100 increases from below hint threshold intensity levelIT_(H) to above an overpress threshold intensity level IT_(OP), asindicated by intensity meters 5104 a, 5104 b, 5104 c, and 5104 dcorresponding to user interfaces 5102 a, 5102 b, 5102 c, and 5102 d,respectively. The tactile output provided as the characteristicintensity of the contact increases is illustrated by tactile outputgraph 5106.

In user interface 5102 a, a contact is at a position indicated by focusselector 5100 that corresponds to a panel 5108 including arepresentation of content. For example, the representation of content isa short preview of an e-mail in an e-mail inbox. As the characteristicintensity of the contact illustrated by focus selector 5100 increasesfrom an initial intensity level that is below hint threshold intensitylevel IT_(H), as indicated at 5104 a, and approaches light pressintensity threshold level IT_(L), as indicated at 5104 b, a tactileoutput with a first tactile output profile varies in accordance with theproximity of the characteristic intensity of the contact to IT_(L). Forexample, as the characteristic intensity of the contact increasesbetween time t₀ and time t₁, a characteristic of the tactile outputincreases (e.g., an amplitude, and/or a distribution of tactile outputsof an oscillating tactile output increases from zero, or a peakamplitude of a sequence of discrete tactile outputs increases graduallyas the intensity of the contact increases), as indicated at 5110. Userinterface transitions that occur as the characteristic intensity of thecontract increases from IT_(H) to IT_(L) is shown in more detail in FIG.5H.

When the characteristic intensity of the contact increases above lightpress intensity threshold level IT_(L), a tactile output with a secondtactile output profile, such as a discrete tap, is produced. Forexample, at time t₁, when the characteristic intensity of the contactmeets first intensity criteria (e.g., increases above light pressintensity threshold level IT_(L)), as indicated at 5104 b, a firstdiscrete tap is produced, as indicated at 5112. In some embodiments,when the characteristic intensity of the contact increases above lightpress intensity threshold level IT_(L), a preview of informationcorresponding to panel 5108 is shown in a preview area 5114 of userinterface 5102 b. For example, preview area 5114 is a preview platterdisplayed in or over user interface 5102 b. In this example, previewarea 5114 of user interface 5102 b displays a long (e.g., expanded)preview of an e-mail corresponding to the short preview of the e-mailshown in panel 5108 of user interface 5102 a. In some embodiments, userinterface 5102 b is blurred except for preview area 5114, as indicatedat 5116.

As the characteristic intensity of the contact illustrated by focusselector 5100 increases from an intensity that is above light pressintensity threshold level IT_(L), as indicated at 5104 b, and approachesdeep press intensity threshold level IT_(D), as indicated at 5104 c), atactile output with a third tactile output profile varies in accordancewith the proximity of the characteristic intensity of the contact toIT_(D). For example, as the characteristic intensity of the contactincreases between time t₁ and time t₂, a characteristic of the tactileoutput increases (e.g., an amplitude and/or the frequency of anoscillating tactile output increases from zero, or a peak amplitude of asequence of discrete tactile outputs increases gradually as theintensity of the contact increases), as indicated at 5118. In someembodiments, as the characteristic intensity of the contact increasesfrom intensity I_(L) and approaches intensity ID, preview area 5114gradually expands from a first area (e.g., as shown in 5102 b) to asecond area (e.g., approaching the full screen display of the content asshown in 5102 c).

When the characteristic intensity of the contact meets second intensitycriteria (e.g., increases above deep press intensity threshold levelIT_(D)), a tactile output with a fourth tactile output profile isproduced. For example, at time t₂, when the characteristic intensity ofthe contact increases above deep press intensity threshold level IT_(D),as indicated at 5104 c, a second discrete tap is produced, as indicatedat 5120. In some embodiments, when the characteristic intensity of thecontact increases above deep press intensity threshold level IT_(D),preview area 5114 is no longer displayed, and instead a user interface5102 c corresponding to the previously previewed content is displayed(e.g., the e-mail is shown in a user interface for viewing an e-mail).

When the characteristic intensity of the contact increases aboveoverpress intensity threshold level IT_(OP), a tactile output with afifth tactile output profile is produced. For example, at time t₃, whenthe characteristic intensity of the contact increases above overpressintensity threshold level IT_(OP), as indicated at 5104 d, a thirddiscrete tap is produced as indicated at 5122. In some embodiments, whenthe characteristic intensity of the contact increases above overpressintensity threshold level IT_(OP), a previously displayed user interfaceis re-displayed. In some embodiments, the re-displayed user interface isa user interface that was displayed when the characteristic intensity ofthe contact was initially detected (e.g., when the characteristicintensity of the contact rose above contact detection threshold levelIT₀). For example, an e-mail inbox with short previews of e-mails, asindicated at user interface 5102 a, is re-displayed at user interface5102 d.

FIG. 5H illustrates user interface transitions that correspond to anincrease in the intensity of a detected contact from intensity level I₀to intensity level I₁ (as indicated in the area surrounded by dottedline 5124 of FIGS. 5G and 5H). In FIG. 5H, the characteristic intensityof the contact indicated by focus selector 5100 increases from belowhint threshold intensity level IT_(H) to above a light press thresholdintensity level IT_(L), as indicated by intensity meters 5104 a, 5104a-2, 5104 a-3, and 5104 b corresponding to user interfaces 5102 a, 5102a-2, 5102 a-3, and 5102 b, respectively.

User interfaces 5102 a-2 and 5102 a-3 illustrate a hint state thatoccurs when a characteristic intensity of the contact indicated by focusselector 5100 is above a hint threshold intensity level IT_(H) and belowa light press threshold intensity level IT_(L), in accordance with someembodiments. In user interface 5102 a, focus selector 5100 is at aposition corresponding to a panel 5108 including a representation ofcontent (e.g., a short preview of an e-mail in an e-mail inbox). As thecharacteristic intensity of the contact increases from above IT_(H)approaching IT_(L), user interface is blurred except for panel 5108, thearea of panel 5108 increases, the size of content in panel 5108increases, and/or the size of content in the user interface outside ofpanel 5108 decreases. The blur and size change effects increase as thecharacteristic intensity of the contact increases between time t_(0.3)and time t_(0.6), as indicated in intensity meters 5104 a-2 and 5104 a-3and user interfaces 5102 a-2 and 5102 a-3, respectively.

In FIG. 5I, the characteristic intensity of the contact indicated byfocus selector 5100 decreases after reaching light press thresholdintensity level IT_(L). In user interface 5126 a, a contact is at aposition indicated by focus selector 5100 that corresponds to a panel5108 including a representation of content. At time to, thecharacteristic intensity of the contact illustrated by focus selector5100 is below hint threshold intensity level IT_(H), as indicated atuser interface 5126 a and intensity meter 5128 a. At time t₁, thecharacteristic intensity of the contact increases above hint thresholdintensity level IT_(H), as indicated at user interface 5126 b andintensity meter 5128 b. At time t₂, the characteristic intensity of thecontact illustrated by focus selector 5100 increases above thresholdintensity level IT_(L), as indicated at user interface 5126 c andintensity meter 5128 c. As the characteristic intensity of the contactincreases after time to, a tactile output with a first output profile isproduced (e.g., a characteristic of the tactile output increases, asindicated at 5110). As the characteristic intensity of the contactincreases from above IT_(H) approaching IT_(L), user interface 5126 b isblurred except for panel 5108, the area of panel 5108 increases, thesize of content in panel 5108 increases, and/or the size of content inthe user interface outside of panel 5108 decreases. At time t₂, adiscrete tap is produced, as indicated at 5112. When the characteristicintensity of the contact increases above light press intensity thresholdlevel IT_(L), as indicated at intensity level meter 5128 c at time t₂,preview of information corresponding to panel 5108 is shown in a previewarea 5114 of user interface 5126 c. The characteristic intensity of thecontact illustrated by focus selector 5100 subsequently (e.g., at timet₃) decreases below threshold intensity level IT_(L), as indicated atuser interface 5126 d and intensity meter 5128 d. In accordance with adetermination that the decrease in the characteristic intensity of thecontact is detected after the characteristic intensity of the contactillustrated by focus selector 5100 increased above threshold intensitylevel IT_(L), the tactile output with the first output profile isforgone and preview area 5114 is maintained on the display as indicatedin user interface 5126 d.

In FIG. 5J, the characteristic intensity of the contact indicated byfocus selector 5100 decreases before reaching light press thresholdintensity level IT_(L). In user interface 5130 a, a contact is at aposition indicated by focus selector 5100 that corresponds to a panel5108 including a representation of content. At time to, thecharacteristic intensity of the contact illustrated by focus selector5100 is below hint threshold intensity level IT_(H), as indicated atuser interface 5130 a and intensity meter 5132 a. At time t₁, thecharacteristic intensity of the contact increases above hint thresholdintensity level IT_(H), as indicated at user interface 5130 b andintensity meter 5132 b. As the characteristic intensity of the contactincreases from above IT_(H) approaching IT_(L), user interface isblurred except for panel 5108, the area of panel 5108 increases, thesize of content in panel 5108 increases, and/or the size of content inthe user interface outside of panel 5108 decreases. At time t₂, thecharacteristic intensity of the contact illustrated by focus selector5100 continues increasing above threshold intensity level IT_(H) withoutreaching threshold intensity level IT_(L), as indicated at userinterface 5130 c and intensity meter 5132 c. As the characteristicintensity of the contact increases after time to, a tactile output witha first output profile is produced (e.g., a characteristic of thetactile output increases, as indicated at 5110). The characteristicintensity of the contact illustrated by focus selector 5100 subsequently(e.g., at time t₃) decreases, as indicated at user interface 5130 d andintensity meter 5132 d. In accordance with a determination that thedecrease in the characteristic intensity of the contact is detectedbefore the characteristic intensity of the contact met intensitycriteria (e.g., increased above threshold intensity level IT_(L)), thetactile output with the first output profile continues to vary inaccordance with the proximity of the characteristic intensity of thecontact to threshold intensity level IT_(L). As the characteristicintensity of the contact decreases, the area of panel 5108 decreases,the size of content in panel 5108 decreases, and/or the size of contentin the user interface outside of panel 5108 increases, e.g., asindicated at user interface 5130 d.

In some embodiments, a set of tactile output profiles as illustrated inFIG. 5K occur as a characteristic intensity of a contact withtouch-sensitive display system 112 increases above overpress intensitythreshold level IT_(OP). At times t₀-t₃, the characteristic intensity ofthe contact increases from below hint threshold intensity level IT_(H)to above overpress intensity threshold level IT_(OP), as indicated at5134 a, 5134 b, 5134 c, and 5134 d, respectively. Between times to andt₃, tactile output having an increasing parameter (e.g., amplitudeand/or distribution of tactile outputs) is provided, as indicated at5136. At time t₄, when the characteristic intensity of the contactincreases above overpress intensity threshold level IT_(OP), asindicated at 5134 e, a discrete tap occurs, as indicated at 5138. As thecharacteristic intensity of the contact continues to increase beyondintensity threshold level IT_(OP), as indicated at 5134 f, tactileoutput having a steady parameter (e.g., a steady amplitude and/ordistribution of tactile outputs) is provided, as indicated at 5140.

FIGS. 5L-5N illustrate selection and movement of an application icon,and a series of tactile outputs that correspond to movement of theselected application icon. In FIG. 5L, a contact is detected attouch-sensitive display system 112 at a location indicated by focusselector 5150. In some embodiments, an application icon 5152 is selectedin accordance with a determination that selection criteria are met(e.g., focus selector 5150 is at a location corresponding to applicationicon 5152 for an amount of time exceeding a threshold duration, e.g., 1second). In some embodiments, when application icon 5152 is selected,movement of focus selector 5150 across touch-sensitive display system112 causes application icon 5152 to move, as illustrate in FIGS. 5M and5N. In some embodiments, when application icon 5152 is not selected,movement of focus selector 5150 across touch-sensitive display system112 causes multiple application icons in user interface 5154 to move, asillustrated in FIG. 5O.

In FIG. 5M, a selected application icon is moved over anotherapplication icon. At an initial time T=t₀, a contact is detected ontouch-sensitive display system 112 when focus selector 5150 is at alocation that corresponds to application icon 5152. At a later timeT=t₁, focus selector 5150 has remained at a location of application icon5152 for an amount of time that results in selection of application icon5152. In some embodiments, to provide an indication to the user that anapplication icon has been selected, tactile output is generated at thetime that the application icon becomes selected. For example, asindicated in tactile output graph 5156, a discrete tap 5158 is generatedat time t₁ at which application icon 5152 has become selected. In someembodiments, as indicated at time t₁-t₄ of tactile output graph 5156, aseries of tactile outputs (e.g., a series of taps 5157, such as a seriesof taps with a lower amplitude than the amplitude of discrete tap 5158)are generated while application icon 5152 is selected. In someembodiments, one or more visual indications, such as highlightingapplication icon 5152 (e.g., shading application icon 5152, as indicatedin user interface 5154 b, 5154 c, and 5154 d) and animating one or moreapplication icons within user interface 1514 (e.g., a shaking animation,as indicated at 5160), are displayed while application icon 5152 isselected.

When application icon 5152 is selected, application icon 5152 is “pickedup” by focus selector 5150 such that application icon 5152 moves inaccordance with the movement of focus selector 5150. At a time T=t₂,focus selector 5150 and application icon 5152 have moved to the lefttoward Stocks application icon 5160. At a time T=t₃, application icon5152 passes over Stocks application icon 5160. In some embodiments, whenapplication icon 5152 overlaps (e.g., to a predefined extent) Stocksapplication icon 5160, a discrete tap 5164 is generated to indicate to auser that application icon 5152 is passing over Stocks application icon5160 (e.g., as indicated at t₃ of tactile output graph 5156).

At a time T=t₄, liftoff of the contact from the touch-sensitive surfaceis detected. In response to liftoff of the contact, application icon5152 is unselected. In some embodiments, when application icon becomesunselected, a discrete tap 5166 is generated to indicate to a user thatunselection of application icon 5152 has occurred (e.g., as indicated att₄ of tactile output graph 5156).

In FIG. 5N, a selected application icon is moved into a folder. At aninitial time T=t₀, a contact is detected on touch-sensitive displaysystem 112 when focus selector 5150 is at a location that corresponds toapplication icon 5153, as indicated in user interface 5180 a. At a latertime T=t₁, focus selector 5150 has remained at a location of applicationicon 5178 for an amount of time that results in selection of applicationicon 5178, as indicated in user interface 5180 b. In some embodiments,to provide an indication to the user that an application icon has beenselected, tactile output is generated at the time that the applicationicon becomes selected. For example, as indicated in tactile output graph5168, a discrete tap 5170 is generated at time t₁ at which applicationicon 5178 has become selected. In some embodiments, as indicatedstarting from time t₁ of tactile output graph 5168, a series of tactileoutputs (e.g., a series of taps 5167, such as a series of taps with alower amplitude than the amplitude of discrete tap 5170) are generatedwhile application icon 5178 is selected.

At a time T=t₂, focus selector 5150 and application icon 5178 have movedto the left, passing over Maps application icon 5182, as indicated inuser interface 5180 c. In some embodiments, a discrete tap 5172 isgenerated at time t₂ to indicate that application icon 5178 has passedover Maps application icon 5182, as indicated in graph 5168.

At a time T=t₃, application icon 5178 enters a region corresponding tofolder icon 5184 that includes Stocks application icon 5186 and Newsapplication icon 5188, as indicated at user interface 5180 d. In someembodiments, a discrete tap 5174 is generated at time t₃ to indicatethat application icon 5178 has entered a region corresponding to folder5184, as indicated in graph 5168. In some embodiments, to provide anindication that application icon 5178 has encountered a user interfaceobject that is different from an application icon (e.g., applicationicon 5178 has encountered a folder 5184 rather than another applicationicon), the discrete tap 5174 is different (e.g., has a larger amplitude)from discrete tap 5172 that occurred when application icon 5178 passedover Maps application icon 5182.

After application icon 5178 has hovered over folder 5184 for apredetermined period of time, at a time T=t₄, an enlarged view of folder5184 is displayed, as indicated in user interface 5180 e. In someembodiments, when folder 5184 is displayed, the user interface displayedin 5180 d ceases to be displayed. In some embodiments, a discrete tap5176 is generated to indicate to a user that application icon 5178 hasbeen moved into folder 5184, as indicated at time t₄ of graph 5168. Insome embodiments, the discrete tap 5176 associated with displayingapplication icon 5178 in folder 5184 is different (e.g., has a largeramplitude) from discrete tap 5172 that occurred when application icon5178 passed over Maps application icon 5182.

In FIG. 5O, because no user interface object is selected, no tactileoutputs are generated as the contact moves across the touch-sensitivesurface. At an initial time T=t₀, a contact is detected ontouch-sensitive display system 112 when focus selector 5150 is at alocation that corresponds to application icon 5152, as indicated in userinterface 5192 a. At a later time T=t_(0.5), focus selector 5150 hasmoved along a path indicated by arrow 5194 to a new position, asindicated in user interface 5192 b. Because focus selector 5150 has notremained at a location of application icon 5152 for an amount of timethat results in selection of application icon 5152, application icon5152 is not selected. Accordingly, in response to the movement of focusselector 5150 along the path indicated by arrow 5194, multipleapplication icons, including application icon 5152, move along the pathindicated by arrow 5194. At a time T=t₁, in response to movement offocus selector 5150 along a path indicated by arrow 5196, multipleapplication icons, including application icon 5152, have moved to theleft, as indicated in user interface 5192 c. Tactile output graph 5198indicates that no tactile outputs occur in response to movement of acontact across touch-sensitive display system 112 when no applicationicon is selected.

FIGS. 5P-5R illustrate image previews that are displayed as a contactmoves along a set of image thumbnails, and a series of tactile outputsthat correspond to movement of the contact along the set of imagethumbnails. FIGS. 5R-1, 5R-2, 5R-3, 5R-4, 5S-1, and 5S-2, illustrateportion 5208 of user interface 5002, as indicated with a dotted line inFIGS. 5P and 5Q.

In FIG. 5P, a contact is detected at touch-sensitive display system 112at a location indicated by focus selector 5204. In some embodiments, inaccordance with a determination that preview display criteria are met(e.g., focus selector 5204 is at a location corresponding to imagethumbnail 5206 a for an amount of time exceeding a threshold duration,e.g., 1 second), a preview 5206 b of an image corresponding to imagethumbnail 5206 a is displayed, as shown in FIG. 5Q. In some embodiments,a preview 5206 b of an image corresponding to an image thumbnail 5206 ais a view of the image that is larger than the image thumbnail 5206 a.In some embodiments, preview 5206 b of the image corresponding to imagethumbnail 5206 a is displayed under and/or above a location of focusselector 5204. In some embodiments, when the preview display criteriaare met, a tactile output is generated.

In some embodiments, when the preview display criteria are met, movementof the contact to a location corresponding to another image thumbnailcauses a preview of an image corresponding the other image thumbnail tobe displayed, as indicated in FIGS. 5R-1, 5R-2, and 5R-3.

In FIG. 5R-1, preview display criteria are met and preview 5206 b of theimage corresponding to image thumbnail 5206 a is displayed. The contactmoves from a first location indicated by focus selector 5204 a along apath indicated by arrow 5210 to a second location indicated by focusselector 5204 b in FIG. 5R-2. The second location indicated by focusselector 5204 b corresponds to the location of image thumbnail 5212 a.In accordance with a determination that the contact has moved to thesecond location, a preview 5212 b of the image corresponding to imagethumbnail 5212 a is displayed. The contact moves from the secondlocation indicated by focus selector 5204 b along a path indicated byarrow 5214 to a third location indicated by focus selector 5204 c inFIG. 5R-3. The third location indicated by focus selector 5204 ccorresponds to the location of image thumbnail 5214 a. In accordancewith a determination that the contact has moved to the third location, apreview 5216 b of the image corresponding to image thumbnail 5216 a isdisplayed.

FIG. 5R-4 illustrates tactile output provided as the contact movesacross touch-sensitive display system 112 to the locations indicated byfocus selectors 5204 a, 5204 b, and 5204 c. Dots 5218 a, 5218 b, and5218 c represent discrete tactile outputs that occur when the contact isat locations indicated by focus selectors 5204 a, 5204 b, and 5204 c,respectively. In this manner, a series of discrete tactile outputs isoutput as a contact moves across a series of image thumbnails. In someembodiments, each time the contact moves over a different imagethumbnail, a discrete tactile output occurs.

In some embodiments, when preview display criteria are not met, notactile output is generated. In FIG. 5S-1, preview display criteria arenot met (a contact is not at a position indicated by focus selector 5204a for an amount of time exceeding a threshold duration). Accordingly, nopreview is displayed. As the contact moves across touch-sensitivedisplay system 112 to positions indicated by 5204 b and 5204 c,respectively, no previews are displayed, as indicated in FIG. 5S-1, andno tactile output occurs, as indicated FIG. 5S-2.

FIGS. 5T-5U illustrate previews 5220 and 5224 displayed when previewcriteria are met and a contact moves across touch-sensitive displaysystem 112 from a first location indicated by focus selector 2226 a to asecond location indicated by focus selector 2226 b (e.g., in a verticaldirection), in accordance with some embodiments. In accordance with adetermination that the preview display criteria are met, tactile outputis generated (e.g., a discrete tactile output is generated when thecontact is at the location indicated by focus selector 2226 a and adiscrete tactile output is generated when the contact is at the locationindicated by focus selector 2226 b). In some embodiments, when scrollingcriteria, which are different from the preview display criteria, aremet, movement of the contact moves across touch-sensitive display system112 from the first location indicated by focus selector 2226 a to thesecond location indicated by focus selector 2226 b (e.g., movement ofthe contact in a vertical direction) causes the plurality of imagethumbnails displayed in user interface 5202 to scroll (e.g., scrollvertically), as illustrated at FIGS. 5V-5W.

FIGS. 5X-1 to 5X-3 illustrate simulated objects 5232 that are used torepresent communications received by device 100, in accordance with someembodiments. In some embodiments, simulated objects 5232 are, e.g.,virtual spheres that “roll” across the surface of device 100. Tactileoutputs indicate the movement of the simulated objects 5232 across thedevice 100 and/or collisions between the simulated objects 5232 and avirtual boundary, such as a boundary that corresponds to one or moreedges of the touch-sensitive display system 112. Movements of thesimulated objects 5232 and/or collisions between the simulated objects5232 and a virtual boundary give a user an impression of a number ofnotifications for communications that were received by device 100 (e.g.,communications received by device 100 since the user last activatedand/or woke the device).

In FIG. 5X-1, device 100 is held flat in a user's hand 5230. As theuser's hand causes device 100 to tilt from the flat position illustratedin FIG. 5X-1 to the tilted position illustrated in FIG. 5X-2 and finallyto the upright position illustrated in FIG. 5X-3, the simulated objects5232 move in response to the movement of the device. For example,movement of device 100 to the upright position illustrated in FIG. 5X-3causes simulated objects 5232 a, 5232 b, 5232 c, and 5232 d to movealong paths 5234 a, 5234 b, 5234 c, and 5234 d, respectively. In someembodiments, as the simulated objects 5232 move along paths 5234, device100 outputs a series of tactile outputs to simulate the movement ofobjects 5232 (e.g., so that the user has the sensation of virtualspheres rolling across device 100 in response to the tilting that occursbetween FIG. 5X-1 and FIG. 5X-3). In some embodiments, each time arespective simulated object 5232 reaches an edge of touch-sensitivedisplay system y 112 of device 100 (e.g., a respective simulated object5232 reaches the ends of its respective path 5234, as illustrated inFIG. 5X-3), device 100 outputs a tactile output to simulate thecollision of the respective simulated object 5232 with the edge oftouch-sensitive display system 112 (e.g., so that the user has thesensation of a virtual sphere bouncing off of lower edge 5236 oftouch-sensitive display system 112).

In some embodiments, a respective simulated object 5232 has a qualitythat depends on at least one property of a corresponding notification.For example, simulated objects 5232 a, 5232 b, and 5232 d correspond toreceived e-mail messages that are not marked “urgent” and simulatedobject 5232 c (shown shaded) corresponds to a received e-mail messagethat is marked “urgent.” The simulated objects that correspond to thenon-urgent notifications have a first property (e.g., a first simulatedweight) and the simulated object that corresponds to an urgentnotification has a second property that is different from the firstproperty (e.g., a second simulated weight that is greater than the firstsimulated weight, such that a larger tactile output is produced whensimulated object 5232 c collides with edge 5236). Examples of simulatedqualities of simulated objects that vary in accordance withcommunication type include, e.g., velocity, acceleration, size, weight,and/or stickiness. Examples of properties of notifications include,e.g., urgency level assigned by the communication sender, priorityassigned to the communication by the user, type of notification (e.g.,text message, telephone call, e-mail, calendar invitation, reminder,and/or third party application notification), and/or number ofnotifications of a type.

FIG. 5Y illustrates a simulated surface texture with which simulatedobjects 5232 interact, in accordance with some embodiments. In FIG. 5Y,simulated surface features 5240 are, e.g., virtual bumps, virtualdivots, or other textural features. In some embodiments, the number,arrangement, and/or positions of surface features is different from theexample illustration of FIG. 5Y.

Device 100 outputs tactile outputs to simulate collision of simulatedobjects 5232 with surface features 5240. For example, as device 100 istilted as shown in FIG. 5Y, simulated objects 5232 a, 5232 b, 5232 c,and 5232 d move from right edge 5242 to left edge 5244 along paths 5246a, 5246 b, 5246 c, and 5246 d, respectively. As simulated object 5232 amoves along path 5246 a, simulated object 5232 a encounters surfacefeatures 5240 a, 5240 b, 5240 c, 5240 d, and so on. Each time simulatedobject 5232 encounters a respective surface feature 5240, device 100generates tactile output to provides the user with an impression of theinteraction between the simulated object 5232 a and the respectivesurface feature 5240. For example, tactile output is provided to givethe user an impression of one or more simulated objects (e.g., virtualspheres) rolling over one or more surface features (e.g., virtualbumps).

FIGS. 5Z, 5AA, and 5BB illustrate tap-based tactile output, vibrationoutput and audio output corresponding to various use contexts of thedevice, in accordance with some embodiments.

In some embodiments, tap-based tactile output is a sequence of discretetactile output patterns that reach full amplitude and/or maximumvelocity within a first number of cycles of a mass moving relative to anactuator (e.g., 1, 2, or 3) and is optionally actively damped so that itstops moving relative to the actuator instead of gradually oscillatingaround a resting position (e.g., such as the FullTaps, MiniTaps, and/orMicroTaps described above with reference to FIGS. 4F-4K). Tap-basedtactile output, optionally, enables finer, more precise, control of theparameters of the tactile output than vibration output but delivers alower amplitude or shorter tactile output (per unit energy) thanvibration output. In some embodiments, for tap-based tactile output, thelocation of the moving mass is actively monitored to ensure that thetap-based tactile output is within precise operational parameters,whereas with vibration output the location of the moving mass is notactively monitored, because the operating parameters are less precise.In some embodiments, vibration output is oscillatory tactile output thatgradually increases in amplitude over a second number of cycles of amass moving relative to an actuator (e.g., 5, 10, 15) and then graduallydecreases in amplitude over a plurality of cycles of the mass movingrelative to the actuator. Vibration output, optionally, enables longerand higher amplitude tactile output (e.g., per unit of energy input) inplace of the finer control offered by the tap-based tactile output.

In FIG. 5Z, the device 100 is operating in a first use context, e.g., ina user's hand 5230. Device 100 is receiving an incoming communication (atelephone call from Neil). In some embodiments, device 100 outputstap-based tactile output, vibration output, and or audio output (e.g., aringtone) to signal to the user that a communication is incoming. Whiledevice 100 is in the user's hand 5230, device 100 outputs a firstongoing tactile output (e.g., as shown in the graph labeled “Tap-basedTactile Output,” a series of discrete taps), a first ongoing vibrationoutput (e.g., as shown in the graph labeled “Vibration Output,” anoscillation that occurs at periodic intervals), and a first ongoingaudio output (e.g., as shown in the graph labeled “Audio Output,” anaudio waveform).

In FIG. 5AA, the device 100 is operating in a second use context, e.g.,in a user's pocket 5250. As device 100 receives an incomingcommunication while in the user's pocket 5250, device 100 outputs asecond ongoing tap-based tactile output. The series of discrete tapsshown in the Tap-based Tactile Output graph of FIG. 5AA occur at afrequency that is greater than the frequency of the series of discretetaps shown in FIG. 5Z. As device 100 receives an incoming communicationwhile in the user's pocket 5250, device 100 outputs a second ongoingvibration output. The oscillations in the Vibration Output graph of FIG.5AA occur at shorter intervals than the intervals of the oscillations ofFIG. 5Z. As device 100 receives an incoming communication while in theuser's pocket 5250, device 100 outputs a second ongoing audio output.The audio waveform in the Audio Output graph of FIG. 5AA has a higheramplitude than the amplitude of the audio waveform of FIG. 5Z. In thisway, the audibility of the audio output is increased such that a user isable to hear the audio output despite sound absorption and/or soundtransmission reduction caused by the second context (e.g., soundabsorption and/or sound transmission reduction caused by a pocket inwhich device 100 is operating).

In FIG. 5BB, the device 100 is operating in a third use context, e.g.,lying flat on table 5252. As device 100 receives an incomingcommunication while on table 5252, device 100 outputs a third ongoingtap-based tactile output. The series of discrete taps shown in theTap-based Tactile Output graph of FIG. 5BB occur at a frequency that islower than both the frequency of the series of discrete taps shown inFIG. 5Z and the frequency of the series of discrete taps shown in FIG.5AA. As device 100 receives an incoming communication while on table5252, device 100 does not generate vibration output. As device 100receives an incoming communication while on table 5252, device 100outputs a third ongoing audio output. The audio waveform in the AudioOutput graph of FIG. 5BB is periodically damped, as indicated at 5254.

In some embodiments, device 100 uses one or more sensors to determinethat a use context has changed (e.g., from the user's pocket 5250, asillustrated in FIG. 5AA, to in the user's hand 5230, as illustrated inFIG. 5Z). When device 100 is in the user's pocket 5250, the user maydesire a louder audio output, more frequent vibration bursts, and/orhigher frequency taps to compensate for the muffling effect ofcontainment in pocket 5250. When the device 100 is in the user's hand5230 (e.g., when the user removes device 100 from pocket 5250 and isholding the device in open air), the user may desire quieter output,less frequent vibration bursts, and/or a lower frequency of taps toavoid excessive noise. When the device 100 is flat on the table 5252, auser may desire damped audio output, no vibration, and/or a very lowfrequency of taps to avoid excessive rattling of device 100 on thetable.

FIGS. 5CC-5OO illustrate example operations of electronic device 100 forproviding audio and/or tactile feedback in accordance with someembodiments.

FIG. 5CC illustrates that electronic device 100 detects an alert event(e.g., electronic device 100 generates and/or receives instructions togenerate an alert in response to an incoming call, lapse of apreselected time interval, or reaching a particular time), and inresponse, updates (5456) its display (e.g., displays a user interfacecorresponding to telephone module 138).

FIG. 5CC also illustrates that audio and/or tactile feedback is notprovided until after electronic device 100 determines (5458) a usecontext of electronic device 100. For example, in some embodiments,electronic device 100 forgoes providing audio and/or tactile feedbackwhen electronic device 100 updates (5456) its display (and subsequentlyprovides audio and/or tactile feedback once the determination is made).

Subsequent to detecting an alert event, electronic device 100 determines(5458) a use context of electronic device 100. In some embodiments,electronic device 100 determines whether electronic device 100 is ineither a first use context (e.g., a context in which a user ofelectronic device 100 is determined to be paying attention to electronicdevice 100, such as electronic device 100 is held by a user and activelyreceiving user inputs) or a second use context (e.g., a context in whicha user of electronic device 100 is determined not to be paying attentionto electronic device 100, such as electronic device 100 is stored in apocket or left on a surface away from the user). For example, electronicdevice 100 determines which use context electronic device 100 is inbetween the first use context and the second use context (e.g.,electronic device 100 is in one of only two use contexts that includethe first use context and the second use context). In some embodiments,electronic device 100 determines which use context electronic device 100is in among three or more use contexts that include the first usecontext and the second use context. In some embodiments, a user isdetermined to be paying attention to the device based on one or moresensor inputs (e.g., in accordance with a determination that a face ofthe user is in a field of view of a camera of the device, in accordancewith a determination that a gaze of a user of the device is directed toa display of the device based image data from a camera of the device, inaccordance with a determination that the device has been or is beinglifted up based on an accelerometer or gyroscope of the device, or inaccordance with a determination that the device has been or is beingremoved from a pocket, bag, or other enclosure based on a proximitysensor or camera). In some embodiments, the user is determined not to bepaying attention to the device based on one or more sensor inputs (e.g.,in accordance with a determination that a face of the user is not in afield of view of a camera of the device, in accordance with adetermination that a gaze of a user of the device is not directed to adisplay of the device based image data from a camera of the device, inaccordance with a determination that the device has been detected to bestationary for more than a threshold amount of time indicating that thedevice is not being held by a user based on an accelerometer orgyroscope of the device, and/or in accordance with a determination thatthe device has been or is being in a pocket, bag, or other enclosurebased on a proximity sensor or camera of the device).

Electronic device 100, in accordance with a determination thatelectronic device 100 is in the first use context (e.g., a context inwhich a user of electronic device 100 is determined to be payingattention to electronic device 100), electronic device 100 provides(5460) first feedback (e.g., a first audio output and/or a first tactileoutput) to indicate the alert event.

Electronic device 100, in accordance with a determination thatelectronic device 100 is in the second use context (e.g., a context inwhich a user of electronic device 100 is determined not to be payingattention to electronic device 100), electronic device 100 provides(5462) second feedback (e.g., a second audio output and/or a secondtactile output) to indicate the alert event.

The second feedback is distinct from the first feedback (e.g., thesecond audio output is distinct from the first audio output, and/or thesecond tactile output is distinct from the first tactile output). Forexample, while electronic device 100 is in the second use context (e.g.,a user of electronic device 100 is not paying attention to electronicdevice 100), electronic device 100 provides the second audio outputand/or the second tactile output to draw the attention of the user, andwhile device 100 is in the first use context (e.g., a user of electronicdevice 100 is paying attention to electronic device 100), electronicdevice 100 provides reduced audio and/or tactile feedback (e.g., thefirst audio output and/or the first tactile output), as the volume ofthe second audio output and/or the amplitude of the second tactileoutput is not required to draw the user's attention. While electronicdevice 100 is in the first use context, the first audio output that hasa lower volume than the second audio output and/or the first tactileoutput that has a lower amplitude than the second tactile output isprovided, because the user is already paying attention to electronicdevice 100.

FIG. 5DD illustrates that, in some embodiments, subsequent to initiatingprovision (5462) of the second feedback, electronic device 100determines again (5464) a use context of electronic device 100. Forexample, while electronic device 100 is providing the second feedback,electronic device 100 continues to monitor whether electronic device 100has transitioned from the second use context to the first use context(e.g., while electronic device 100 is providing the second feedback,electronic device 100 repeats determination of whether a user who wasnot paying attention to the device is now paying attention to thedevice).

FIG. 5DD also illustrates that, in accordance with a determination thatelectronic device 100 remains in the second use context, electronicdevice 100 continues to provide the second feedback (e.g., whileelectronic device 100 remains in the second use context, electronicdevice 100 continues to provide the second feedback until feedbacktermination criteria are satisfied, such as outputting a ringtone for apredefined number of times or for a predefined time interval).

FIG. 5DD further illustrates that, in accordance with a determinationthat electronic device 100 has transitioned from the second use contextto the first use context, electronic device 100 transitions fromproviding (5462) the second feedback to providing (5460) the firstfeedback (e.g., electronic device 100 ceases to provide the secondfeedback and initiates to provide the first feedback).

FIG. 5EE illustrates the second feedback provided by electronic device100. The second feedback includes second audio output and/or secondtactile output (e.g., second tap-based tactile output and/or secondvibration output). The second audio output has second audio amplitude(that is greater than first audio amplitude of the first audio outputshown in FIG. 5FF). In FIG. 5EE, the second tactile output includes aplurality of discrete tactile output components 5470 (e.g., tap-basedtactile output components) having second tactile output amplitude (e.g.,FullTaps shown in FIGS. 4F and 4I) and a second time interval. In FIG.5EE, the second tactile output also includes vibration outputs.

FIG. 5FF illustrates the first feedback provided by electronic device100. The first feedback includes first audio output and/or first tactileoutput (e.g., first tap-based tactile output and/or second vibrationoutput). The first audio output has first audio amplitude that is lessthan the second audio amplitude of the second audio output (shown inFIG. 5EE). In FIG. 5FF, the first tactile output includes a plurality ofdiscrete tactile output components 5472 (e.g., tap-based tactileoutputs) having first tactile output amplitude less than the secondtactile output amplitude (e.g., MiniTaps or MicroTaps shown in FIGS.4G-4H and 4J-4K) and having a first time interval that is shorter thanthe second time interval (e.g., the first tactile output has a higherfrequency of discrete tap-based tactile outputs than the second tactileoutput). In FIG. 5FF, the first tactile output does not includevibration outputs. However, in some other embodiments, the first tactileoutput includes vibration outputs.

FIG. 5GG illustrates transition of electronic device 100 from providingthe second feedback to the first feedback in accordance with someembodiments. In FIG. 5GG, the tap-based tactile output changes from thesecond tap-based tactile output (having the second tap-based tactileoutput amplitude) to the first tap-based tactile output (having thefirst tap-based tactile output amplitude less than the second tap-basedtactile output amplitude). FIG. 5GG also shows that electronic device100 transitions from providing vibration outputs as part of the secondtactile output to ceasing to provide vibration outputs as the firsttactile output does not include vibration outputs. FIG. 5GG furthershows that electronic device 100 transitions from providing the secondaudio output that has the second audio amplitude to providing the firstaudio output that has the first audio amplitude that is less than thesecond audio amplitude. As shown in FIG. 5GG, the audio output changesgradually (e.g., linearly or nonlinearly) from the second amplitude tothe first amplitude over a first period of time, t1. The tactile output(including the tap-based tactile output) changes from the second tactileoutput to the first tactile output over a second period of time, t2,that is less than the first period of time, t1. In some embodiments, asshown in FIG. 5GG, electronic device 100 transitions from determiningthat electronic device 100 has transitioned from the second use contextto the first use context to providing the first audio output over aperiod of time t1′, and transitions from determining that electronicdevice 100 has transitioned from the second use context to the first usecontext to providing the first tactile output over a period of time t2′that is less than the period of time t1′. Instead of immediatelytransitioning from providing the second audio output to providing thefirst audio output, electronic device 100 transitions gradually fromproviding the second audio output to providing the first audio outputover a period of time, thereby providing smooth audio transition fromthe second audio output to the first audio output and providing improveduser experience.

FIGS. 5HH-5KK illustrate example tap-based tactile outputs for the firstuse context and the second use context in accordance with someembodiments.

FIG. 5HH illustrates that tap-based tactile output 5502 is providedwhile electronic device 100 is in the second use context (e.g., acontext in which a user of the device is determined not to be payingattention to the device) and tap-based tactile output 5504 is providedwhile electronic device 100 is in the first use context (e.g., a contextin which a user of the device is determined to be paying attention tothe device). Tap-based tactile output 5502 includes a plurality oftap-based tactile output components having a second tactile outputamplitude (e.g., FullTaps shown in FIGS. 4F and 4I) and a second timeinterval. Tap-based tactile output 5504 includes a plurality oftap-based tactile output components having a first tactile outputamplitude less than the second tactile output amplitude (e.g., MiniTapsor MicroTaps shown in FIGS. 4G-4H and 4J-4K) and the same second timeinterval.

FIG. 5HH also illustrates transition from providing tap-based tactileoutput 5502 to providing tap-based tactile output 5504 in conjunctionwith the transition of electronic device 100 from the second use contextto the first use context.

FIG. 5II illustrates that tap-based tactile output 5512 is providedwhile electronic device 100 is in the second use context (e.g., acontext in which a user of the device is determined not to be payingattention to the device) and tap-based tactile output 5514 is providedwhile electronic device 100 is in the first use context (e.g., a contextin which a user of the device is determined to be paying attention tothe device). Tap-based tactile output 5512 includes a plurality oftap-based tactile output components 5516 having a second tactile outputamplitude (e.g., FullTaps shown in FIGS. 4F and 4I) and a second timeinterval. Tap-based tactile output 5514 includes the plurality oftap-based tactile outputs having a first time interval that is shorterthan the second time interval (e.g., tap-based tactile output 5514 has ahigher frequency of tap-based tactile output components than tap-basedtactile output 5512). In particular, tap-based tactile output 5514includes the plurality of tap-based tactile output components 5516 andalso includes a plurality of tap-based tactile output components 5518having a first tactile output amplitude that is less than the secondtactile output amplitude (e.g., MiniTaps or MicroTaps shown in FIGS.4G-4H and 4J-4K) between tap-based tactile output components 5516.

FIG. 5II also illustrates transition from providing tap-based tactileoutput 5512 to providing tap-based tactile output 5514 in conjunctionwith the transition of electronic device 100 from the second use contextto the first use context.

FIG. 5JJ illustrates that tap-based tactile output 5522 is providedwhile electronic device 100 is in the second use context (e.g., acontext in which a user of the device is determined not to be payingattention to the device) and tap-based tactile output 5524 is providedwhile electronic device 100 is in the first use context (e.g., a contextin which a user of the device is determined to be paying attention tothe device). Tap-based tactile output 5522 includes a plurality oftap-based tactile output components 5526 and 5528 having a secondtactile output amplitude (e.g., FullTaps shown in FIGS. 4F and 4I).Tap-based tactile output 5524 includes the plurality of tap-basedtactile output components 5526 and also includes a plurality oftap-based tactile output components 5530, 5532, and 5534 having a firsttactile output amplitude that is less than the second tactile outputamplitude (e.g., MiniTaps or MicroTaps shown in FIGS. 4G-4H and 4J-4K).In particular, tap-based tactile output component 5528 having the secondtactile output amplitude is replaced with tap-based tactile outputcomponent 5532 having the first tactile output amplitude (e.g.,tap-based tactile output 5524 does not include tap-based tactile outputcomponents 5528).

FIG. 5JJ also illustrates transition from providing tap-based tactileoutput 5522 to providing tap-based tactile output 5524 in conjunctionwith the transition of electronic device 100 from the second use contextto the first use context.

FIG. 5KK illustrates that tap-based tactile output 5542 is providedwhile electronic device 100 is in the second use context (e.g., acontext in which a user of the device is determined not to be payingattention to the device) and tap-based tactile output 5544 is providedwhile electronic device 100 is in the first use context (e.g., a contextin which a user of the device is determined to be paying attention tothe device). Tap-based tactile output 5542 includes a plurality oftap-based tactile output components 5526 and 5528 having a secondtactile output amplitude (e.g., FullTaps shown in FIGS. 4F and 4I).Tap-based tactile output 5544 includes the plurality of tap-basedtactile output components 5526 (e.g., FullTaps). In tap-based tactileoutput 5544, tap-based tactile output components 5528 are omitted.

FIG. 5KK also illustrates transition from providing tap-based tactileoutput 5542 to providing tap-based tactile output 5544 in conjunctionwith the transition of electronic device 100 from the second use contextto the first use context.

FIG. 5LL illustrates that a filter is used to obtain the first audiooutput from the second audio output (e.g., the first audio outputcorresponds to an output obtained by applying the filter to the secondaudio output). In some embodiments, the filter is a low pass filter. Insome embodiments, the filter is a high pass filter, a band pass filter,or any other filter (e.g., a digital filter).

FIG. 5LL also illustrates that different filters (e.g., low pass filter1 having a cutoff frequency f1, low pass filter 2 having a cutofffrequency f2 that is different from the cutoff frequency f1, or low passfilter 3 having a cutoff frequency f3 that is different from the cutofffrequencies f1 and f2) are selected depending on the content of thesecond audio output.

In some embodiments, the content of the second audio output isdetermined based on frequency components of the second audio output. Forexample, low pass filter 1 (having a high cutoff frequency) is selectedfor an audio output having dominantly treble components, and low passfilter 2 (having a low cutoff frequency) is selected for an audiocomponent having dominantly bass components.

In some embodiments, the content of the second audio output isdetermined based on a type of the alert event (e.g., whether the alertevent is associated with an incoming call, an alarm, or a timer). Forexample, as shown in FIG. 5LL, low pass filter 1 is used to obtain thefirst audio output from the second audio output when the second audiooutput is associated with an incoming call, low pass filter 2 is used toobtain the first audio output from the second audio output when thesecond audio output is associated with an alarm, and low pass filter 3is used to obtain the first audio output from the second audio outputwhen the second audio output is associated with a timer.

Although FIG. 5LL describes an application of a filter to an audiooutput, a filter can be applied to a tactile output in an analogousmanner. For brevity, such details are omitted herein.

FIG. 5MM illustrates that an audio output (e.g., the second audio outputand the first audio output) includes a plurality of audio output tracks(e.g., audio output track 1, audio output track 2, and audio outputtrack 3). FIG. 5MM also illustrates that during the transition ofelectronic device 100 from providing the second audio output toproviding the first audio output, a particular audio output track (e.g.,audio output track 2) is removed. For example, an amplitude of audiooutput track 2 is gradually (e.g., linearly or nonlinearly) reduceduntil audio output track 2 is completely tuned out (e.g., silenced).Optionally, another audio output track (e.g., audio output rack 3) isconcurrently, or subsequently, tuned out (e.g., silenced). In someembodiments, the audio output includes more than three audio outputtracks.

FIG. 5NN illustrates that during the transition of electronic device 100from providing the second audio output to providing the first audiooutput, an amplitude of a particular audio output track (e.g., audiooutput track 2) is reduced without completely silencing the particularaudio output track (e.g., the reduced amplitude of the particular audiooutput track is greater than zero). FIG. 5NN also illustrates that,subsequent to reducing the amplitude of the particular audio outputtrack (e.g., audio output track 2), an amplitude of another audio outputtrack (e.g., audio output track 3) is reduced. In some embodiments, theaudio output includes more than three audio output tracks. In someembodiments, an amplitude of yet another audio output track isconcurrently, or subsequently, reduced (e.g., when the audio outputincludes four audio output tracks, an amplitude of the fourth audiooutput track is reduced concurrently with, or subsequently to, reducingthe amplitude of the third audio output track).

FIG. 5OO illustrates that during the transition of electronic device 100from providing the second audio output to providing the first audiooutput, audio output track 1 is provided. Subsequently, audio outputtrack 1 is tuned out and audio output track 2 is provided. Thereafter,audio output track 2 is tuned out and audio output track 3 is provided.This progressive switching between audio tracks provides smoothtransition between the second audio output (e.g., an audio output thatincludes audio output track 1) and the first audio output (e.g., anaudio output that includes audio output track 3).

In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 5OO, audio output track 1 hasfirst amplitude A₁, audio output track 2 has second amplitude A₂ that isless than first amplitude A₁, and audio output track 3 has thirdamplitude A₃ that is less than second amplitude A₂. Thus, as electronicdevice 100 transitions from audio output track 1 to audio output track2, and subsequently to audio output track 3, the volume of an audiooutput generated by electronic device 100 is progressively reduced.

In some embodiments, audio output track 1 corresponds to a first musicalinstrument, audio output track 2 corresponds to a second musicalinstrument, and audio output track 3 corresponds to a third musicalinstrument.

In some embodiments, the second audio output includes audio output track1, audio output track 2, and audio output track 3. During the transitionof electronic device 100 from providing the second audio output toproviding the first audio output, electronic device 100 sequentiallytunes out audio output track 1 and audio output track 2 (e.g.,electronic device 100 first tunes out audio output track 1 whilemaintaining audio output track 2 and audio output track 3, andsubsequently tunes out audio output track 2 while maintaining audiooutput track 3).

FIGS. 6A-6C are flow diagrams illustrating a method 600 of outputtingtactile outputs based on progress adjusting adjustable controls, inaccordance with some embodiments. The method 600 is performed at anelectronic device (e.g., device 300, FIG. 3, or portable multifunctiondevice 100, FIG. 1A) with a display, a touch-sensitive surface,optionally one or more sensors to detect intensity of contacts with thetouch-sensitive surface, and one or more tactile output generators. Insome embodiments, the display is a touch-screen display and thetouch-sensitive surface is on or integrated with the display. In someembodiments, the display is separate from the touch-sensitive surface.Some operations in method 600 are, optionally, combined and/or the orderof some operations is, optionally, changed.

As described below, the method 600 provides an intuitive way to adjust avalue using an adjustable control. The method provides the user withtactile output such that the user better understands the effect ofoperating the control while performing an adjustment, thereby creating amore efficient human-machine interface.

The device displays (602), on the display (e.g., touch-sensitive displaysystem 112), a user interface (e.g., a media playback interface, such asuser interface 5002, as shown in FIG. 5A) that includes: a firstadjustable control (e.g., playback position adjustment control 5004) anda second adjustable control (e.g., volume adjustment control 5006).

The device detects movement (604) of a first contact across thetouch-sensitive surface in a drag gesture (e.g., along a path indicatedby arrow 5018, as shown in FIGS. 5B-1 and 5B-2; along a path indicatedby arrow 5028, as shown in FIGS. 5C-1, 5C-3, and 5C-3; or along a pathindicated by arrow 5074, as shown in FIGS. 5E-1 and 5E-2).

In accordance with a determination that the drag gesture is performedwhile a focus selector (e.g., a focus selector 5016 as indicated at 5016a and 5016 b of FIGS. 5B-1 and 5B-2) is at a location that correspondsto the first adjustable control 5004 (e.g., the drag gesture isperformed by a contact indicated by focus selector 5016 on atouch-sensitive display 112 while the contact is at a locationcorresponding to a first draggable icon 5020 for a first slider 5021, orthe drag gesture is performed by a contact on a touch-sensitive surfacewhile a cursor or other pointer is at a location corresponding to afirst draggable icon 5020 for a first slider 5021) the device: adjusts(606) the first adjustable control 5004 in accordance with the movementof the first contact in the drag gesture (e.g., moving a first draggableicon 5020 across the touch-sensitive display 112 to adjust a value of aparameter that corresponds to the first adjustable control 5004, such asa playback position parameter); and outputs (606), with the one or moretactile output generators 167, a first plurality of tactile outputs(e.g., as represented by the row of lines shown at 5022). A respectivetactile output (e.g., as represented by the line shown at 5023), in thefirst plurality of tactile outputs, is triggered based on progressadjusting the first adjustable control 5004 (e.g., based on progress ofthe first draggable icon 5020 across the display, such as when the focusselector 5016 is at a respective predefined location in the first slideron the display). The first plurality of tactile outputs has a firstdistribution of tactile outputs as the first adjustable control 5021 isadjusted (e.g., a first spatial distribution of tactile output triggersalong a path of the first draggable icon).

In accordance with a determination that the drag gesture is performedwhile the focus selector (e.g., a focus selector 5026 as indicated at5026 a and 5026 b of FIGS. 5C-1, 5C-2, and 5C-3) is at a location thatcorresponds to the second adjustable control 5006 (e.g., the draggesture is performed by a contact indicated by focus selector 5026 on atouch-sensitive display 112 while the contact is at a location thatcorresponds to a second draggable icon 5030 for a second slider 5032, ora drag gesture is performed by a contact on a touch-sensitive surfacewhile a cursor or other pointer is at location that corresponds to asecond draggable icon 5030 for a second slider 5032) the device: adjusts(608) the second adjustable control 5006 in accordance with the movementof the first contact in the drag gesture (e.g., moving a seconddraggable icon 5030 across the display 112 to adjust a value of aparameter that corresponds to the second adjustable control 5006, suchas a volume level); and outputs (608), with the one or more tactileoutput generators, a second plurality of tactile outputs (e.g., asrepresented by the row of lines shown at 5034). A respective tactileoutput, in the second plurality of tactile outputs, is triggered basedon progress adjusting the second adjustable control (e.g., based onprogress of the second draggable icon 5030 along the volume slider 5032,such as when the focus selector 5026 is at a respective predefinedlocation in the second slider on the display). The second plurality oftactile outputs has a second distribution of tactile outputs that isdifferent from (e.g., less than or greater than) the first distributionof tactile outputs as the second adjustable control is adjusted. Forexample, a density of tactile output triggers along a path of the seconddraggable icon 5030 (e.g., a density of tactile output triggers alongvolume slider 5032) is less that a density of tactile output triggersalong a path of the first draggable icon 5020 (e.g., a density oftactile output triggers along playback position slider 5021), or viceversa. In some embodiments, as shown in FIGS. 5B-2 and 5C-3, thelocations 5038 along the volume slider 5032 that trigger tactile outputsare more widely spaced than the locations 5022 along the progress bar5021 that trigger tactile outputs.

Outputting a second plurality of tactile outputs that has a seconddistribution of tactile outputs that is different from the firstdistribution of tactile outputs as the second adjustable control isadjusted provides the user with feedback about the type of control beingused, which control among multiple controls is being used, and/or theextent of the adjustment that is being made. Providing improved feedbackto the user enhances the operability of the device and makes theuser-device interface more efficient (e.g., by helping the user toprovide proper inputs and reducing user mistakes whenoperating/interacting with the device) which, additionally, reducespower usage and improves battery life of the device by enabling the userto use the device more quickly and efficiently.

In some embodiments, the first adjustable control 5004 is (610) aprogress control 5021 for selecting a position within content (e.g., acontent scrubber control with a draggable progress icon 5020 that isconfigured to adjust a playback position in media content being playedback) and the second control 5006 is a volume control 5032 forcontrolling volume of the content while it is playing (e.g., a controlwith a draggable volume slider icon 5030 that is configured to adjustthe volume at which the media content is played back). In someembodiments, content includes, e.g., audio and/or video content.

In some embodiments, the first plurality of tactile outputs 5022includes (612) an endpoint tactile output 5058, as shown in FIG. 5D-2,that is provided in accordance with a determination that the firstadjustable control 5020 has reached an endpoint (e.g., endpoint 5050 asshown in FIG. 5D-1). In some embodiments, different feedback (e.g.,tactile output with a larger amplitude and/or other differences in itstactile output profile than the prior outputs in the first plurality oftactile outputs) is provided when a draggable icon 5020 reaches an endof a scrubber, such as an end of a progress control 5021. In someembodiments, a second adjustable control 5006, such as a volume control5006, does not have different feedback at the end of the volumescrubber.

Providing feedback with tactile output at endpoints of controls thatdiffers from tactile output provided at other parts of the controlprovides the user with feedback about the extent of adjustment availablefrom a control. Providing improved feedback to the user enhances theoperability of the device and makes the user-device interface moreefficient (e.g., by helping the user to provide proper inputs, informingthe user when further input will no longer produce an adjustment to acontrol, and reducing user mistakes when operating/interacting with thedevice) which, additionally, reduces power usage and improves batterylife of the device by enabling the user to use the device more quicklyand efficiently.

In some embodiments, for a respective tactile output (e.g., asrepresented by the line shown at 5023) in the first plurality of tactileoutputs (e.g., as represented by the row of lines 5022), the respectivetactile output is triggered (614) when the focus selector 5016 is at acorresponding predefined location on the display. For example, a firsttactile output, in the first plurality of tactile outputs, is triggeredwhen the focus selector is at a first predefined location on the display(e.g., as indicated by 5016 a); a second tactile output, in the firstplurality of tactile outputs, is triggered when the focus selector is ata second predefined location on the display (e.g., as indicated by 5016b), adjacent to the first predefined location on the display; a thirdtactile output, in the first plurality of tactile outputs, is triggeredwhen the focus selector is at a third predefined location on thedisplay, adjacent to the second predefined location on the display; andso on. Similarly, in some embodiments, for a respective tactile outputin the second plurality of tactile outputs (e.g., as represented by therow of lines 5034), the respective tactile output is triggered when thefocus selector is at a corresponding predefined location on the display.

In some embodiments, the first adjustable control is a progress control,and at least some of the predefined locations on the display correspondto (616) chapter markers for media content whose playback is beingadjusted with the progress control. For example, FIG. 5E-1 illustrates aprogress control 5078. FIG. 5E-2 illustrates a series 5084 of lines(e.g., 5080, 5084) that represent locations on the display at which atactile output is triggered. The series 5084 includes tactile outputtrigger locations that correspond to chapter markers (e.g., line 5080).In some embodiments, tactile output trigger locations that correspond tochapter markers have one or more distinct characteristics from tactileoutput trigger locations that do not correspond to trigger markers. Forexample, line 5080 that corresponds to a chapter marker is a longer linethan line 5082 that does not correspond to a chapter marker, indicatingthat, e.g., a tactile output with a greater amplitude is output at alocation on the display indicated by line 5080. In some embodiments,chapter markers are, e.g., chapter markers for, audio tracks, audio bookchapters, and/or video chapters.

Outputting tactile outputs with distinct characteristics at tactileoutput trigger locations that correspond to chapter markers as a userscrolls through content provides a user with feedback about the progressof the scrolling and information usable for more precisely navigating toa desired part of the content. Providing improved feedback to the userenhances the operability of the device and makes the user-deviceinterface more efficient (e.g., by helping the user to quickly andprecisely hone in on a desired destination in the content) which,additionally, reduces power usage and improves battery life of thedevice by enabling the user to use the device more quickly andefficiently.

In some embodiments, each tactile output in the first plurality oftactile outputs and in the second plurality of tactile outputs has (618)a corresponding tactile output profile. In some embodiments, the tactileoutput profile includes one or more characteristics of a given tactileoutput, such as the amplitude of the output, the shape of a movementwaveform in the output, the duration of the output (e.g., a discrete tapoutput or a continuous ongoing output), the characteristics of objectsbeing simulated by the output (e.g., the size, material, and/or mass ofsimulated objects, such as a simulated ball rolling on a simulatedsurface), the number of objects being simulated by the output, and/orcharacteristics of the movements of the simulated objects.

In some embodiments, a respective tactile output, in the first pluralityof tactile outputs, has a first respective tactile output profile; and arespective tactile output, in the second plurality of tactile outputs,has a second respective tactile output profile that is different fromthe first respective tactile output profile (620). For example, in theplurality of tactile outputs represented by the row of lines shown at5034 of FIG. 5C-2, the increasing length of the lines represents, e.g.,an increasing amplitude. A first tactile output of the plurality oftactile outputs represented by 5034 (e.g., a tactile output that occurswhen a focus selector is at a location indicated by 5026 a) has a firsttactile output profile (e.g., a first amplitude) and a second tactileoutput of the plurality of tactile outputs represented by 5034 (e.g., atactile output that occurs when a focus selector is at a locationindicated by 5026 b) has a second tactile output profile (e.g., a secondamplitude that is greater than the first amplitude).

In some embodiments, amplitudes of tactile outputs in the firstplurality of tactile outputs are constant and amplitudes of tactileoutputs in the second plurality of tactile outputs are variable (622).For example, the amplitudes in the second plurality of tactile outputsare increasing, decreasing, oscillating, and/or variable according to astep function. In some embodiments, the second control adjusts themagnitude of a parameter of the content (e.g., volume) and the magnitudeof the tactile outputs increases as the magnitude of the parameterincreases. The row of lines 5022 representing tactile outputs in FIG.5B-2 is an example of amplitudes of tactile outputs that are constantand the row of lines 5034 in FIG. 5C-2 is an example of amplitudes oftactile outputs that are variable, in accordance with some embodiments.

Outputting tactile outputs with amplitudes that are constant for a firstplurality of tactile outputs (e.g., corresponding to a first adjustablecontrol) and amplitudes that are variable for a second plurality oftactile outputs (e.g., corresponding to a second adjustable control)provides the user with feedback about the type of control being used,which control among multiple controls is being used, and/or the extentof the adjustment that is being made. Providing improved feedback to theuser enhances the operability of the device and makes the user-deviceinterface more efficient (e.g., by helping the user to provide properinputs and reducing user mistakes when operating/interacting with thedevice) which, additionally, reduces power usage and improves batterylife of the device by enabling the user to use the device more quicklyand efficiently.

In some embodiments, amplitudes of tactile outputs in the firstplurality of tactile outputs vary in a first manner (e.g., increasing,decreasing, oscillating, and/or variable according to a step function)and amplitudes of tactile outputs in the second plurality of tactileoutputs vary in a second manner that is different from the first manner(624).

In some embodiments, tactile outputs in the first plurality of tactileoutputs are accompanied by corresponding audio outputs (626).

In some embodiments, the audio outputs have (628) an audio parameterthat is variable. In some embodiments, the audio parameter (e.g.,amplitude and/or frequency) varies as a tactile output parameter (e.g.,amplitude, frequency (e.g., of an oscillating tactile output) and/ordistribution of tactile outputs)) varies. For example, the audioparameter increases as the tactile parameter increases, and the audioparameter decreases as the tactile parameter decreases).

In some embodiments, the user interface includes (630) a play/pausetoggle control 5010 (e.g., a virtual play/pause button). The devicedetects an input by a second contact on the touch-sensitive surfacewhile a focus selector is at a location that corresponds to theplay/pause toggle control 5010 (shown in a pause state in FIG. 5B-1 andin a play state in FIG. 5C-1). For example, the device detects a tapgesture by a contact on a touch-sensitive display at a play/pausebutton, or detects a tap gesture by a contact on a touch-sensitivesurface while a cursor or other pointer is at a play/pause button on thedisplay. In response to detecting the input by the second contact: inaccordance with a determination that the input corresponds to a requestto play media content (e.g., the play/pause button is being switchedfrom pause to play): the device plays the media content; displays theplay/pause toggle control in a play state; and outputs, with the one ormore tactile output generators, at least one tactile output that has afirst tactile output profile (e.g., a tactile output represented by thebox at 5044 of FIG. 5C-2). In accordance with a determination that theinput corresponds to a request to pause the media content (e.g., theplay/pause button is being switched from play to pause): the devicepauses the media content; displays the play/pause toggle control in apause state; and outputs, with the one or more tactile outputgenerators, at least one tactile output that has a second tactile outputprofile that is different from the first tactile output profile (e.g., atactile output represented by the box at 5046 of FIG. 5C-3). Forexample, toggling from pause to play causes a “boingy” tactile output(e.g., a tactile output that has a periodic step function orsinusoidally varying amplitude, which in some embodiments is damped overtime), whereas toggling from play to pause causes a different,“non-boingy” tactile output (e.g., a plurality of tactile outputs with anon-varying amplitude), or vice versa.

Outputting a tactile output with a first tactile output profile when arequest to make a first state change (e.g., to play media content) isreceived at a multi-state control (such as a play/pause toggle control)and a second tactile output profile when a request to make a secondstate change (e.g., to pause content) is received at the multi-statecontrol provides the user with feedback as to which control amongmultiple controls is being operated and the nature of the control (e.g.,by providing an indication that the control is a multi-state control).Providing improved feedback to the user enhances the operability of thedevice and makes the user-device interface more efficient (e.g., byhelping the user to provide proper inputs and reducing user mistakeswhen operating/interacting with the device) which, additionally, reducespower usage and improves battery life of the device by enabling the userto use the device more quickly and efficiently. In some embodiments, theimproved feedback allows the user to operate a control such as theplay/pause toggle control without powering on a display of the device.

It should be understood that the particular order in which theoperations in FIGS. 6A-6C have been described is merely an example andis not intended to indicate that the described order is the only orderin which the operations could be performed. One of ordinary skill in theart would recognize various ways to reorder the operations describedherein. Additionally, it should be noted that details of other processesdescribed herein with respect to other methods described herein (e.g.,methods 700, 800, 900, 1000, 1100, 1200, and 1300) are also applicablein an analogous manner to method 600 described above with respect toFIGS. 6A-6C. For example, the contacts, gestures, user interfaceobjects, tactile outputs, focus selectors, and animations describedabove with reference to method 600 optionally have one or more of thecharacteristics of the contacts, gestures, user interface objects,tactile outputs, focus selectors, and animations described herein withreference to other methods described herein (e.g., methods 700, 800,900, 1000, 1100, 1200, and 1300). For brevity, these details are notrepeated here.

FIGS. 7A-7D are flow diagrams illustrating a method 700 of providingtactile outputs in response to detected increases in the characteristicintensity of a contact, in accordance with some embodiments. The method700 is performed at an electronic device (e.g., device 300, FIG. 3, orportable multifunction device 100, FIG. 1A) with a display, atouch-sensitive surface, one or more sensors configured to detectintensities of contacts on the touch-sensitive surface, and one or moretactile output generators. In some embodiments, the display is atouch-screen display and the touch-sensitive surface is on or integratedwith the display. In some embodiments, the display is separate from thetouch-sensitive surface. Some operations in method 700 are, optionally,combined and/or the order of some operations is, optionally, changed.

As described below, the method 700 provides feedback as user input isreceived. The feedback gives the user an intuitive sense of intensity ofa contact with a touch sensitive surface. The method helps a user tounderstand the connection between provided input and device responses toinput, thereby creating a more efficient human-machine interface.

While displaying a first user interface on the display, the devicedetects (702) a contact on the touch-sensitive surface. For example, thedevice detects a contact a location indicated by focus selector 5100, asshown in FIG. 5F.

The device detects (704) a first increase in a characteristic intensityof the contact on the touch-sensitive surface. For example, thecharacteristic intensity of the contact illustrated by focus selector5100 increases from below a hint intensity threshold level IT_(H), asillustrated by intensity level meter 5104 a shown in FIG. 5H, to abovethe hint intensity threshold level IT_(H), as illustrated by intensitylevel meter 5104 a-2, and continues to increase above the hint intensitythreshold level IT_(H), as illustrated by intensity level meter 5104a-3.

In response to detecting the first increase in the characteristicintensity of the contact on the touch-sensitive surface, the deviceproduces (706) a first tactile output, with the one or more tactileoutput generators, that has a first tactile output profile. The firsttactile output profile is, e.g., a profile with periodic output and/oran output with an amplitude (and/or distribution of tactile outputs)that, optionally, increases and/or decreases monotonically (e.g.,linearly, exponentially, logarithmically, and/or according to a stepfunction) as the characteristic intensity increases. The first tactileoutput profile includes an output parameter that (dynamically) varies inaccordance with a proximity of the characteristic intensity of thecontact to meeting a first intensity criteria (e.g., an amplitude of thefirst tactile output profile increases as the characteristic intensityapproaches a first intensity threshold). For example, the first tactileoutput is an output with an increasing amplitude as illustrated at 5110in tactile output graph 5106 of FIG. 5H as the characteristic intensityof the contact increases from below a hint intensity threshold levelIT_(H), as illustrated by intensity level meter 5104 a, to above thehint intensity threshold level IT_(H), as illustrated by intensity levelmeter 5104 a-2, and continues to increase above the hint intensitythreshold level IT_(H), as illustrated by intensity level meter 5104a-3.

Producing a tactile output with a tactile output profile that varies asa characteristic intensity of a contact increases provides the user withfeedback about the level of intensity that is being detected by thedevice based on the user's input and provides tactile feedback to theuser indicating that pressing harder will cause the device to perform anoperation associated with a user interface element. Providing improvedtactile feedback to the user enhances the operability of the device andmakes the user-device interface more efficient (e.g., by helping theuser to provide proper inputs and reducing user mistakes whenoperating/interacting with the device).

While producing the tactile output that has the first tactile outputprofile, the device detects (708) a second increase in thecharacteristic intensity of the contact on the touch-sensitive surface.For example, the characteristic intensity of the contact illustrated byfocus selector 5100 increases from below a light press intensitythreshold level IT_(L), as illustrated by intensity level meter 5104 ashown in FIG. 5G, to above the light press intensity threshold levelIT_(L), as illustrated by intensity level meter 5104 b shown in FIG. 5G.In response to detecting the second increase in the characteristicintensity of the contact on the touch-sensitive surface (710), inaccordance with a determination that the characteristic intensity of thecontact on the touch-sensitive surface meets the first intensitycriteria (e.g., the characteristic intensity of the contact increasesabove an intensity threshold, such as a light press intensity thresholdIT_(L)), the device produces a second tactile output (e.g., a tap, suchas a short duration “minitap”) that has a second tactile output profilethat is different from the first tactile output profile. For example,the second tactile output is a tap as represented by bar 5112 in tactileoutput graph 5106 of FIG. 5G. In some embodiments, the intensitycriteria includes a time varying component (e.g., as described abovewith reference to FIGS. 4C-4E). In accordance with a determination thatthe characteristic intensity of the contact on the touch-sensitivesurface does not meet the first intensity criteria, the device continuesto produce the first tactile output that has the first tactile outputprofile and (dynamically) varies the output parameter in accordance withthe second increase in the characteristic intensity of the contact basedon the proximity of the characteristic intensity of the contact tomeeting the first intensity criteria. For example, in accordance with adetermination that the characteristic intensity of the contact is belowlight press intensity threshold IT_(L), as shown at intensity levelmeter 5104 a-3 of FIG. 5H, the device continues to produce first tactileoutput 5110.

In some embodiments, the device determines (712) whether thecharacteristic intensity of the contact on the touch-sensitive surfacemeets the first intensity criteria in response to detecting the secondincrease in the characteristic intensity of the contact on thetouch-sensitive surface.

In some embodiments, while detecting the second increase in thecharacteristic intensity of the contact, the first tactile outputcontinues (714) at least until the first intensity criteria aresatisfied. In some embodiments, the first tactile output is an ongoingoutput, such as a sinusoidal output, a repeating stream of step functionpulses (e.g., <0.1 seconds apart), or another function with a periodicor repetitive property that continues at least until the first intensitycriteria are satisfied.

In some embodiments, the second tactile output is (716) a discretetactile output (e.g., a single tap, such as a tap represented by bar5112 shown in tactile output graph 5106 of FIG. 5G). In someembodiments, the second tactile output profile has a higher amplitudethan at least part of the first tactile output profile, e.g., such thatthe amplitude of the second tactile output is larger than the firsttactile output when the first intensity criteria (e.g., a light pressintensity threshold) are met. For example, as shown in FIG. 5G, theamplitude of the tap represented by bar 5512 in tactile output graph5106 is higher than the highest amplitude of the tactile output shown at5110.

In some embodiments, in accordance with a determination that thecharacteristic intensity of the contact on the touch-sensitive surfacemeets the first intensity criteria, the device ceases (718) to outputthe first tactile output (e.g., ceasing a continuous tactile output).

In some embodiments, after detecting the second increase in thecharacteristic intensity of the contact, the device detects (720) adecrease in the characteristic intensity of the contact. In accordancewith a determination that the decrease in the characteristic intensityof the contact is detected after the characteristic intensity of thecontact on the touch-sensitive surface meets the first intensitycriteria (e.g., light press intensity threshold IT_(L)), the deviceforgoes producing the first tactile output (e.g., to provide feedback tothe user to indicate that the characteristic intensity of the contacthas already met the first intensity criteria). In accordance with adetermination that the decrease in the characteristic intensity of thecontact is detected before the characteristic intensity of the contacton the touch-sensitive surface meets the first intensity criteria, thedevice continues to produce the first tactile output that has the firsttactile output profile and continuing to vary the output parameter inaccordance with the proximity of the characteristic intensity of thecontact to meeting the first intensity criteria (e.g., to providefeedback to the user to indicate that the characteristic intensity ofthe contact has not yet met the first intensity criteria). For example,as illustrated in FIG. 5J, the characteristic intensity of the contactdecreases from below light press intensity threshold IT_(L) as shown byintensity level meter 5132 c, to a lower intensity level, as shown byintensity level meter 5132 d. Because the characteristic intensity ofthe contact did not meet the first intensity criteria (e.g., did notincrease above light press intensity threshold IT_(L)), the devicecontinues to produce first tactile output 5110 and continues to vary theamplitude of tactile output 5110 as the characteristic intensity of thecontact drops.

In some embodiments, while the first tactile output is produced, thedevice displays (722) an animation that varies in accordance with theproximity of the characteristic intensity of the contact to meeting thefirst intensity criteria. In some embodiments, the change in theanimation parallels the change in the tactile output (e.g., a parameterof the animation varies as the output parameter of the first tactileoutput profile varies). In some embodiments, the animation is acontinuous animation that is dynamically adjusted in accordance with thecharacteristic intensity of the contact. In some embodiments, theanimation is a “hint” animation, which dynamically obscures userinterface objects (e.g., by increasing a blur radius for the objects),other than a selected first interface object, as the intensityapproaches a “peek” intensity threshold for displaying a preview areathat corresponds to the selected first user interface object. Forexample, as the characteristic intensity of the contact 5100 increasesfrom a time t₀ to a time t_(0.6), as illustrated by intensity levelmeters 5104 a, 5104 a-2, and 5104 a-3, the background of user interfaceis animated such that it is increasingly blurred (as indicated by thetransition from 5102 a to 5102 a-2 and to 5102 a-3), as illustrated inFIG. 5H.

In some embodiments, the animation includes animating a sequence ofimages in the background in accordance with the characteristic intensityof the first contact. In some embodiments, the change includes changinga Z-depth, focus, radial position relative to the contact, color,contrast, or brightness of one or more objects of the background,wherein the dynamic change in the appearance of the background of thefirst user interface is based at least in part on the characteristicintensity of the first contact (e.g., directly, linearly, non-linearlyproportional to, or at a rate determined based on the characteristicintensity of the contact).

In some embodiments, the dynamic change of the appearance of thebackground of the first user interface is based at least in part on aposition of the first focus selector 5100 on the display (e.g.,distortion of a background pattern is more pronounced for portions ofthe background pattern that are closer to the focus selector). Forexample, a virtual mesh is pushed back more at location near a contactthan at locations near the edge of touch screen 112.

In some embodiments, the output parameter of the first tactile outputvaries (724) nonlinearly in accordance with the proximity of thecharacteristic intensity of the contact to meeting the first intensitycriteria. For example, the output parameter of the first tactile outputvaries exponentially, logarithmically, and/or as an increasing stepfunction (e.g., series of taps).

In some embodiments, after producing the first tactile output, thedevice detects (726) a third increase in a characteristic intensity ofthe contact on the touch-sensitive surface to an intensity that isgreater than a threshold intensity that is included in the firstintensity criteria (e.g., the characteristic intensity of the contactincreases above an intensity threshold such as a light press thresholdIT_(L)). For example, the characteristic intensity of the contact 5100increases from an intensity level below a deep press intensity thresholdIT_(D), as illustrated at intensity level meter 5104 b of FIG. 5G, to anintensity level above the deep press intensity threshold IT_(D), asindicated at intensity level meter 5104 c. In response to detecting thethird increase in the characteristic intensity of the contact on thetouch-sensitive surface, the device produces a third tactile output,with the one or more tactile output generators, that has a third tactileoutput profile that varies (e.g., an amplitude of the third tactileoutput profile increases linearly or nonlinearly) in accordance with aproximity of the characteristic intensity of the contact to meeting asecond intensity criteria (e.g., including a criterion that thecharacteristic intensity of the contact increases above an intensitythreshold such as a deep press threshold IT_(D)). In some embodiments,the third tactile output is produced after the second tactile output(“minitap”) (e.g., as illustrated at 5112) is produced or is concluded.For example, the device produces a tactile output 5118 with a tactileoutput that increases as the characteristic intensity of the contact5100 increases from 5104 b to 5014 c, as illustrated in FIG. 5G.

In some embodiments, as the third tactile output is produced, the devicedisplays (728) an animation that varies in accordance with the proximityof the characteristic intensity of the contact to meeting the secondintensity criteria. In some embodiments, as the characteristic intensityof the contact increases between a light press threshold IT_(L) and adeep press threshold IT_(D), an animation that expands a preview area5100 (e.g., a preview area that corresponds to a selected user interfaceobject) is displayed (e.g., instead of an animation that obscures otheruser interface objects, as occurs below the light press thresholdIT_(L), in accordance with some embodiments).

In some embodiments, in accordance with a determination that thecharacteristic intensity of the contact on the touch-sensitive surfacemeets the second intensity criteria, the device produces (730) a fourthtactile output that has a fourth tactile output profile (such as asingle tap, e.g., with a longer duration than the second tactileoutput). In some embodiments, the second intensity criteria are met whenthe characteristic intensity of the contact increases above a deep pressintensity threshold IT_(D). In some embodiments, the third tactileoutput is a continuous tactile output that changes dynamically as theintensity of the contact changes and the fourth tactile output is adiscrete tactile output that is produced when the contact meets thesecond intensity criteria. For example, in accordance with adetermination that the characteristic intensity of contact 5100increases above a deep press intensity threshold IT_(D), as indicated atintensity meter 5104 c, a fourth tactile output (e.g., as single tap, asrepresented by bar 5120 of tactile output graph 5106) is produced.

In some embodiments, the third tactile output profile (e.g., function)is different (732) from the first tactile output profile.

In some embodiments, in accordance with a determination that thecharacteristic intensity of the contact on the touch-sensitive surfacemeets a third intensity criteria, the device produces (734) a fifthtactile output that has a fifth tactile output profile, wherein theduration of the fifth tactile output is shorter than the duration of thefirst tactile output (e.g., the fifth tactile output is a tap output).In some embodiments, the third intensity criteria are met when thecharacteristic intensity of the contact increases above an overpressintensity threshold IT_(OP) that is greater than the deep pressthreshold IT_(D), as illustrated in FIG. 5G at intensity level meter5104 d). For example, a tap input as represented by bar 5122 of tactileoutput graph 5106 is produced when the characteristic intensity of thecontact increases above overpress intensity threshold IT_(OP) asillustrated in at 5104 d.

In some embodiments, the first intensity criteria includes (736) acriterion that is met when the characteristic intensity of the contactexceeds a first intensity threshold (e.g., a light press intensitythreshold IT_(L)); the second intensity criteria includes a criterionthat is met when the characteristic intensity of the contact exceeds asecond intensity threshold (e.g., a deep press threshold IT_(D)),greater than the first intensity threshold; and the third intensitycriteria includes a criterion that is met when the characteristicintensity of the contact exceeds a third intensity threshold (e.g., anoverpress intensity threshold IT₀), greater than the second intensitythreshold. In some embodiments, the device foregoes producing (736) acontinuous tactile output while the characteristic intensity of thecontact is between the second intensity threshold and the thirdintensity threshold. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 5G, no tactileoutput is produced between time t₂ and time t₃, while the characteristicintensity of contact 5100 is between IT_(D) and IT₀. In someembodiments, no tactile output (and no corresponding animation) isproduced while the characteristic intensity of the contact is betweenthe second intensity threshold and the third intensity threshold. Insome embodiments, in contrast to the varying/dynamic tactile output thatoccurs as a first intensity threshold is approached (e.g., the firsttactile output 5110) and the varying/dynamic tactile output that occursas a second intensity threshold is approached (e.g., the third tactileoutput 5118), there is no varying/dynamic tactile output as the thirdintensity threshold is approached. In some embodiments, in contrast tothe varying animation that occurs as a first intensity threshold isapproached and the varying animation that occurs as a second intensitythreshold is approached, there is no varying animation as the thirdintensity threshold is approached.

In some embodiments, while displaying an animation that varies inaccordance with the proximity of the characteristic intensity of thecontact to meeting the second intensity criteria, the device detects(738) a fourth increase in a characteristic intensity of the contact onthe touch-sensitive surface. In response to detecting the fourthincrease in the characteristic intensity of the contact: in accordancewith a determination that the characteristic intensity of the contact onthe touch-sensitive surface meets the second intensity criteria (e.g.,the characteristic intensity of the contact exceeds a deep pressthreshold IT_(D), as illustrated at intensity level meter 5104 c, asillustrated in FIG. 5G), the device displays a second user interfacethat is distinct from the first user interface (e.g., the devicedisplays user interface 5102 c that is distinct from user interface 5102a); and, in accordance with a determination that the characteristicintensity of the contact on the touch-sensitive surface meets the thirdintensity criteria (e.g., the characteristic intensity of the contactexceeds an overpress threshold IT_(OP), as illustrated at intensitylevel meter 5104 d), the device redisplays the first user interface(e.g., the device redisplays the user interface shown at 5102 a, asindicated at user interface 5102 d).

It should be understood that the particular order in which theoperations in FIGS. 7A-7D have been described is merely an example andis not intended to indicate that the described order is the only orderin which the operations could be performed. One of ordinary skill in theart would recognize various ways to reorder the operations describedherein. Additionally, it should be noted that details of other processesdescribed herein with respect to other methods described herein (e.g.,methods 600, 800, 900, 1000, 1100, 1200, and 1300) are also applicablein an analogous manner to method 700 described above with respect toFIGS. 7A-7D. For example, the contacts, gestures, user interfaceobjects, tactile outputs, intensity thresholds, focus selectors, andanimations described above with reference to method 700 optionally haveone or more of the characteristics of the contacts, gestures, userinterface objects, tactile outputs, intensity thresholds, focusselectors, and animations described herein with reference to othermethods described herein e.g., methods 600, 800, 900, 1000, 1100, 1200,and 1300). For brevity, these details are not repeated here.

FIGS. 8A-8C are flow diagrams illustrating a method 800 of generating asequence of tactile outputs that correspond to movement of a focusselector, in accordance with some embodiments. The method 800 isperformed at an electronic device (e.g., device 300, FIG. 3, or portablemultifunction device 100, FIG. 1A) with a display, a touch-sensitivesurface, optionally one or more sensors to detect intensity of contactswith the touch-sensitive surface, and one or more tactile outputgenerators. In some embodiments, the display is a touch-screen displayand the touch-sensitive surface is on or integrated with the display. Insome embodiments, the display is separate from the touch-sensitivesurface. Some operations in method 800 are, optionally, combined and/orthe order of some operations is, optionally, changed.

As described below, the method 800 provides feedback as user interactionwith user interface objects is detected to give a user an intuitivesense of whether a user interface object is selected for movement. Themethod helps a user to understand the connection between provided inputand device responses to input, thereby creating a more efficienthuman-machine interface.

The device displays (802) a user interface that includes a plurality ofuser interface objects (e.g., such as user interface objects 5152 and5162 shown in user interfaces 5154 a-5154 e of FIG. 5M).

The device detects (804), on the touch-sensitive surface, a touch inputby a contact that moves a focus selector 5150 from a first userinterface object of the plurality of user interface objects in a firstdirection on the display. For example, the device detects a drag gestureby a contact on a touch-sensitive display that starts while the contactis at a first user interface object (e.g., focus selector 5150 is atfirst user interface object 5152), or the device detects a drag gestureby a contact on a touch-sensitive surface that starts while a cursor orother pointer is at a first user interface object on the display.

In response to detecting the touch input (806): in accordance with adetermination that the first user interface object is selected when thefocus selector moves in the first direction (e.g., as indicated in FIG.5M), the device generates, by the one or more tactile output generators,a sequence of tactile outputs that correspond to the movement of thefocus selector in the first direction (e.g., a sequence of tactileoutputs 5157 as shown in tactile output graph 5156 of FIG. 5M); and inaccordance with a determination that the first user interface object isnot selected when the focus selector moves in the first direction (e.g.,as indicated in FIG. 5O), the device forgoes generation of the sequenceof tactile outputs that correspond to the movement of the focus selectorin the first direction (e.g., as indicated in tactile output graph 5198of FIG. 5O).

In some embodiments, in response to detecting the touch input, thedevice moves (808) the first user interface object in accordance withthe movement of the focus selector without regard to whether or not thefirst user interface object is selected. For example, when the firstuser interface object is a first application launch icon in a multipagespringboard and the springboard is in a normal navigation mode, thefirst application launch icon moves with the rest of a page as a touchinput by a contact that starts on the first application launch iconscrolls the page in a first direction (e.g., leftward), withoutselecting the first application launch icon and without providing asequence of tactile outputs. As illustrated in FIG. 5O, as focusselector 5150 moves along a path indicated by arrow 5194, thespringboard (e.g., including multiple user interface objects) moves asthe first application launch icon (user interface object 5152) moves(from a first position shown in user interface 5192 a, to a secondposition shown in user interface 5192 b, to a third position shown inuser interface 5192 c). In contrast, when the springboard is in an iconreconfiguration mode, a touch input by a contact that starts on thefirst application launch icon selects the first application launch iconand moves the icon in the first direction while providing a sequence oftactile outputs. For example, in FIG. 5M, a contact at a positionindicated by focus selector 5150 selects first application launch icon5152 and moves the first application launch icon (as illustrated at userinterface 5154 a-5154 e).

In some embodiments, in response to detecting the touch input, inaccordance with a determination that the first user interface object isselected (e.g., in response to a stationary input (e.g., press and hold)while the focus selector is at a location that corresponds to the firstuser interface object), the device moves (810) the first user interfaceobject relative to (e.g., over and/or between) at least one other userinterface object in the plurality of user interface objects. Forexample, as illustrated at user interfaces 5154 a-5154 e of FIG. 5M,first user interface object 5152 moves over user interface object 5162.In some embodiments, when selected, the first user interface objectmoves relative to all of the other objects in the plurality of userinterface objects.

In some embodiments, in response to detecting the touch input, inaccordance with a determination that the first user interface object isselected, the device displays (812) a preview (e.g., a thumbnail image,such as a thumbnail of an image from a set (e.g., row and/or grid) ofimages) of another object that corresponds to the first user interfaceobject. For example, as shown in FIG. 5Q, when user interface object5204 is selected, thumbnail image 5206 b is shown as a preview of userinterface object 5204.

In some embodiments, as the first user interface object is moved, thedevice generates (814) discrete tactile outputs that correspond tomovement of the first object relative to the at least one other userinterface object in the plurality of user interface objects. (e.g.,discrete tactile outputs are generated as an app icon passes over otherapp icons). For example, as shown in tactile output graph 5156, discretetactile output 5164 is produced at a time t₃ to indicate that userinterface object 5152 has moved over user interface object 5162 (asshown at user interface 5154 d). In some embodiments, discrete tactileoutputs (e.g., tactile output 5164) are generated when the icon passesover other icons, while an ongoing sequence of tactile outputs (e.g.,the series of tactile outputs 5157) that correspond to movement of theicon are also being generated.

In some embodiments, as the first user interface object is moved, thedevice generates (816) discrete tactile outputs that correspond tomovement of other user interface objects in response to the movement ofthe first user interface object (e.g., other app icons rearrangingand/or snapping into place as the first object moves around the UI). Forexample, in user interface 5154 e of FIG. 5M, user interface object 5162has snapped into the position where user interface object 5152 waspreviously located (as shown in user interface 5154 a). At the time t₄when user interface object 5162 has snapped into the new position, adiscrete tactile output 5166 is produced. In some embodiments, thediscrete tactile outputs (e.g., 5166) are generated while an ongoingsequence of tactile outputs (e.g., 5157) that correspond to movement arebeing generated.

In some embodiments, in response to selecting the first user interfaceobject, the device generates (818) a tactile output that corresponds tothe selection of the first user interface object that is different(e.g., a tap or series of taps with a larger amplitude, higherfrequency, higher density, and/or other different tactile outputprofile) from the sequence of tactile outputs that correspond tomovement of the first user interface object.

In some embodiments, in response to detecting the touch input, inaccordance with a determination that the first user interface object isnot selected, the device moves (820) a second user interface object inthe plurality of user interface objects along with the first userinterface object (e.g., scroll without providing tactile outputs iffirst object is not selected). For example, in FIG. 5O, first userinterface object 5152 is not selected by a contact indicated by focusselector 5150, and movement of the focus selector 5150 along the pathindicated by arrow 5194 causes second user interface object 5162 to movealong with first user interface object 5152. In some embodiments, thefirst user interface object moves along with all other objects.

In some embodiments, in response to detecting a first portion of thetouch input (e.g., while the focus selector is at a locationcorresponding to the first user interface object): the device selects(822) the first user interface object and generates an ongoing tactileoutput that indicates that the user interface is in a first state inwhich the first user interface object is selected (e.g., an iconreconfiguration mode). For example, in FIG. 5M, focus selector 5150 isat a location corresponding to user interface object 5152 (e.g., formore than a threshold period of time) and user interface object 5152becomes selected. The device generates ongoing tactile output 5157,which includes a series of taps as indicated in tactile output graph5156, to indicate that user interface object 5152 is selected. In someembodiments, the ongoing tactile output continues as long as the deviceis in the first state. In some embodiments, the ongoing tactile outputcontinues as long as the device is in the first state and a contactcontinues to be detected on the touch-sensitive surface. In someembodiments, the ongoing tactile output stops if the contact ceases tobe detected on the touch-sensitive surface.

In some embodiments, while the touch input is being detected and whilethe first user interface object is selected, the device detects (824) achange in a state of the user interface from a first state (e.g., whenan application launch icon is moving among other application launchicons in an application springboard, as illustrated at FIG. 5M) to asecond state (e.g., when an application launch icon is moved to a folderor a folder icon, or when an application launch icon is moved to alocation that corresponds to another application launch icon, resultingin automatic generation of a folder). For example, in FIG. 5N, a userinterface changes from a first state in which application launch icon(e.g., user interface object 5178) is moving among other applicationlaunch icons (e.g., moving over application launch icon 5182) to asecond state in which application launch icon 5178 is moved to alocation that corresponds to folder icon 5184. In response to detectingthe change in the state of the user interface from the first state tothe second state, the device changes from an ongoing first-state tactileoutput (e.g., an ongoing tactile output that indicates that the firstuser interface object is selected and the user interface is in the firststate, such as the series of taps 5167 shown in tactile output graph5168) to one or more second-state tactile outputs, different from theongoing first-state tactile output (e.g., the series of taps 5169 shownin tactile output graph 5168), to indicate that the change in the stateof the user interface from the first state to the second state hasoccurred. In some embodiments, the one or more second-state tactileoutputs have a different output profile than the ongoing first-statetactile output (e.g., the second-state tactile outputs have a loweramplitude of tactile outputs, density of tactile outputs and/orfrequency of tactile outputs).

In some embodiments, outputting the one or more second-state tactileoutputs includes (828) outputting an ongoing sequence of tactile outputs(e.g., the series of taps 5169 shown in tactile output graph 5168) whilethe second state is the active state of the first user interface.

In some embodiments, changing a state of the user interface from thefirst state to the second state includes (830) displaying a second userinterface overlaid on a first user interface (e.g., a folder userinterface 5184 is shown, e.g., over or in lieu of the springboard userinterface 5180 d).

In some embodiments, changing a state of the user interface from thefirst state to the second state includes (832) replacing display of afirst user interface with a second user interface (e.g., a folder UIreplaces an array of application launch icons in a springboard UI).

It should be understood that the particular order in which theoperations in FIGS. 8A-8C have been described is merely an example andis not intended to indicate that the described order is the only orderin which the operations could be performed. One of ordinary skill in theart would recognize various ways to reorder the operations describedherein. Additionally, it should be noted that details of other processesdescribed herein with respect to other methods described herein (e.g.,methods 600, 700, 900, 1000, 1100, 1200, and 1300) are also applicablein an analogous manner to method 800 described above with respect toFIGS. 8A-8C. For example, the contacts, gestures, user interfaceobjects, tactile outputs, focus selectors, and animations describedabove with reference to method 800 optionally have one or more of thecharacteristics of the contacts, gestures, user interface objects,tactile outputs, focus selectors, and animations described herein withreference to other methods described herein (e.g., methods 600, 700,900, 1000, 1100, 1200, and 1300). For brevity, these details are notrepeated here.

FIG. 9 is a flow diagram illustrating a method 900 of outputting tactileoutputs in response to detecting movement of a contact, in accordancewith some embodiments. The method 900 is performed at an electronicdevice (e.g., device 300, FIG. 3, or portable multifunction device 100,FIG. 1A) with a display, a touch-sensitive surface, optionally one ormore sensors to detect intensity of contacts with the touch-sensitivesurface, and one or more tactile output generators. In some embodiments,the display is a touch-screen display and the touch-sensitive surface ison or integrated with the display. In some embodiments, the display isseparate from the touch-sensitive surface. Some operations in method 900are, optionally, combined and/or the order of some operations is,optionally, changed.

As described below, the method 900 provides feedback as user movement oficons is detected to give a user an intuitive sense of movement of anicon. The method helps a user to understand the connection betweenprovided input and device responses to input, thereby creating a moreefficient human-machine interface.

The device (902) displays a first user interface (e.g., an applicationspringboard) that includes: a plurality of icons of a first type (e.g.,application launch icons), and at least one icon of a second type,different from the first type (e.g., a folder icon). For example, userinterface 5180 a is an application springboard that includes a pluralityof application launch icons, including application launch icons 5178 and5182, and a folder icon 5184.

While a focus selector is on a first icon of the first type (e.g., icon5178), the device detects (904) movement of a contact 5150 across thetouch-sensitive surface in a drag gesture (e.g., contact 5150 movesacross the first user interface from a first position at time t₁, asshown in user interface 5180 b to a second position at time t₂, as shownin FIG. 5180c , to a third position at time t₃, as shown in FIG. 5180d). For example, the device detects a drag gesture by a contact on atouch-sensitive display while the contact is on a first draggable icon,or detects a drag gesture by a contact on a touch-sensitive surfacewhile a cursor or other pointer is on a first draggable icon on thedisplay.

In response to detecting movement of the contact across thetouch-sensitive surface in the drag gesture while the focus selector ison the first icon (906), the device moves (908) the first icon acrossthe display in accordance with the movement of the first contact in thedrag gesture (e.g., icon 5178 moves from a first position at time t₁, asshown in user interface 5180 b, to a second position at time t₂, asshown in user interface 5180 c, to a third position at time t₃, as shownin user interface 5180 d). In accordance with a determination that thefirst icon moves over one or more other icons of the first type duringthe drag gesture, the device outputs (910), with the one or more tactileoutput generators, one or more tactile outputs of a first type, whereina respective tactile output of the first type has a first tactile outputprofile. For example, as first icon 5178 moves over icon 5182, as shownin user interface 5180 c, tactile output 5172 is produced. In accordancewith a determination that the drag gesture moves the first icon over anicon of the second type at the end of the drag gesture, the devicedisplays (912) a second user interface that corresponds to the icon ofthe second type (e.g., displaying a user interface for a folder thatcorresponds to a folder icon) and the device outputs, with the one ormore tactile output generators, a tactile output of a second type,wherein the tactile output of the second type has a second tactileoutput profile that is different from the first tactile output profile.For example, first icon 5178 moves over folder icon 5184, as shown inuser interface 5180 d, and, in response, a user interface 5180 e thatincludes an enlarged folder that corresponds to folder icon 5184 isdisplayed and tactile output 5169 (and/or 5176) is generated. In someembodiments, the user interface 5180 e for the folder is overlaid on thefirst user interface (e.g., the springboard user interface as shown at5180 d). In some embodiments, the user interface 5180 e for the folder5184 replaces display of the first user interface 5180 d. In someembodiments, the second type of tactile output (e.g., the series of taps5169) is a continuous output while the second user interface isdisplayed, whereas the first type of tactile output is a discrete tapoutput (e.g., a tap output as represented by bar 5172) as the first icon5178 moves over another icon 5182 of the first type.

In some embodiments, the drag gesture occurs while the first userinterface is in a user interface reconfiguration mode. In someembodiments, continuous tactile output 5167 is provided while the firstuser interface is in the user interface reconfiguration mode, which isdistinct from the first type of tactile output (e.g., a discrete tapoutput, e.g., 5172) and which is distinct from the second type oftactile output (e.g., a continuous output 5168 with a different outputprofile, such as a different amplitude of tactile outputs, density oftactile outputs and/or frequency of tactile outputs). In someembodiments, the user interface reconfiguration mode is entered inresponse to detecting a stationary input while the focus selector isover the first icon (e.g., a press and hold input).

In some embodiments, tactile output is also provided as other icons inthe first user interface rearrange to fill in gaps caused by movement ofthe first icon.

It should be understood that the particular order in which theoperations in FIG. 9 have been described is merely an example and is notintended to indicate that the described order is the only order in whichthe operations could be performed. One of ordinary skill in the artwould recognize various ways to reorder the operations described herein.Additionally, it should be noted that details of other processesdescribed herein with respect to other methods described herein (e.g.,methods 600, 700, 800, 1000, 1100, 1200, and 1300) are also applicablein an analogous manner to method 900 described above with respect toFIG. 9. For example, the contacts, gestures, user interface objects,tactile outputs, focus selectors, and animations described above withreference to method 900 optionally have one or more of thecharacteristics of the contacts, gestures, user interface objects,tactile outputs, focus selectors, and animations described herein withreference to the other methods described herein (e.g., methods 600, 700,800, 1000, 1100, 1200, and 1300). For brevity, these details are notrepeated here.

FIG. 10 is a flow diagram illustrating a method 1000 of providing outputin accordance with detected input by a contact at a user interface thatincludes a plurality of icons, in accordance with some embodiments. Themethod 1000 is performed at an electronic device (e.g., device 300, FIG.3, or portable multifunction device 100, FIG. 1A) with a display, atouch-sensitive surface, optionally one or more sensors to detectintensity of contacts with the touch-sensitive surface, and one or moretactile output generators. In some embodiments, the display is atouch-screen display and the touch-sensitive surface is on or integratedwith the display. In some embodiments, the display is separate from thetouch-sensitive surface. Some operations in method 1000 are, optionally,combined and/or the order of some operations is, optionally, changed.

As described below, the method 1000 provides feedback as a userinteracts with icons to give a user an intuitive sense of the iconinteractions. The method helps a user to understand the connectionbetween provided input and device responses to input, thereby creating amore efficient human-machine interface.

The device displays (1002) a first user interface (e.g., a photomanagement application) that includes a plurality of icons (e.g.,thumbnail image icons of larger digital images, documents, or othercontent). For example, the device displays a photo managementapplication, as illustrated in user interface 5202 of FIG. 5P, thatincludes a plurality of thumbnail image icons including thumbnail imageicon 5206 a.

The device detects (1004) a first input by a contact on the touchsensitive surface while a focus selector is on a first icon in theplurality of icons, the first icon having a first size. For example, thedevice detects an input by a contact 5204 on a touch-sensitive displaywhile the contact is on a first icon 5206 a, or the device detects aninput by a contact on a touch-sensitive surface while a cursor or otherpointer is on a first icon on the display.

In response to detecting the first input by the contact on the touchsensitive surface (1006): in accordance with a determination that thefirst input satisfies preview display criteria (1008), the devicedisplays a preview of an object that corresponds to the first icon(e.g., a preview of a larger digital image, as illustrated at 5206 b ofFIG. 5Q), the preview having a second size that is greater than thefirst size; and the device outputs, with the one or more tactile outputgenerators, a tactile output of a first type (e.g., a springy effect),wherein a tactile output of the first type has a first tactile outputprofile. In some embodiments, the preview display criteria include acriterion that is met when at least a first portion of the first inputby the contact is a stationary input, such as a tap-and-hold gesture. Inaccordance with a determination that the first input satisfies scrollingcriteria (1010), which are different from the preview display criteria:the device foregoes displaying the preview of the object thatcorresponds to the first icon; forgoes outputting, with the one or moretactile output generators, the tactile output of the first type; and,scrolls the plurality of icons. For example, scrolling occurs asillustrated by FIGS. 5V-5W. In some embodiments, the scrolling criteriainclude a criterion that is met when at least a first portion of thefirst input by the contact is a moving input, such as a drag gesture, aswipe gesture, and/or a finger roll gesture.

In some embodiments, while displaying the preview of the object thatcorresponds to the first icon (e.g., 5206 b, as illustrated in FIG. 5Qand in FIG. 5R-1), the device detects a second input by a contact (e.g.,movement of the contact from a position indicated by focus selector 5204a along a path indicated by arrow 5210 to a position indicated by focusselector 5204 b). In response to detecting the second input, the device:moves the focus selector from the first icon to a second icon in theplurality of icons; displays a preview of an object that corresponds tothe second icon (e.g., a preview of a larger digital image, asillustrated at 5212 b of FIG. 5R-2), the preview having a second sizethat is greater than the first size; and outputs a second type oftactile output (e.g., a “tic,” as represented by dot 5218 b of FIG.5R-4. In some embodiments, the second input follows the first input anduses the same continuous contact with the touch sensitive surface.

It should be understood that the particular order in which theoperations in FIG. 10 have been described is merely an example and isnot intended to indicate that the described order is the only order inwhich the operations could be performed. One of ordinary skill in theart would recognize various ways to reorder the operations describedherein. Additionally, it should be noted that details of other processesdescribed herein with respect to other methods described herein (e.g.,methods 600, 700, 800, 900, 1100, 1200, and 1300) are also applicable inan analogous manner to method 1000 described above with respect to FIG.10. For example, the contacts, gestures, user interface objects, tactileoutputs, focus selectors, and animations described above with referenceto method 1000 optionally have one or more of the characteristics of thecontacts, gestures, user interface objects, tactile outputs, focusselectors, and animations described herein with reference to othermethods described herein (e.g., methods 600, 700, 800, 900, 1100, 1200,and 1300). For brevity, these details are not repeated here.

FIGS. 11A-11B are flow diagrams illustrating a method 1100 of providinghaptic feedback in accordance with some embodiments. The method 1100 isperformed at an electronic device (e.g., device 300, FIG. 3, or portablemultifunction device 100, FIG. 1A) with a display, a touch-sensitivesurface, optionally one or more sensors to detect intensity of contactswith the touch-sensitive surface, and one or more tactile outputgenerators. In some embodiments, the display is a touch-screen displayand the touch-sensitive surface is on or integrated with the display. Insome embodiments, the display is separate from the touch-sensitivesurface. Some operations in method 700 are, optionally, combined and/orthe order of some operations is, optionally, changed.

As described below, the method 1100 provides an intuitive way to providean indication of a number of communications received by a device. A usermay need to check on a number of notifications received withoutactivating a device, for example, when it would be inappropriate orundesirable to activate the device. Additionally, a user may wish togauge a number of communications received by a device withoutindividually reviewing a notification corresponding to eachcommunication. By providing haptic feedback indicating a number ofcommunications received by a device, the method helps a user whenchecking a device for its received communications, thereby creating amore efficient human-machine interface. For battery-operated electronicdevices, enabling a user to check received communications faster andmore efficiently (e.g., without requiring unlocking of the device and/oractivation of the device display) conserves power and increases the timebetween battery charges.

The device receives (1102) a number of communications (e.g., instantmessages, e-mails, and/or calls for a user of the electronic device).

After the number of communications is received: the device detects(1104), using one or more device orientation sensors (e.g.,accelerometer, gyro, and/or light sensor), a change in a position and/ororientation of the electronic device (e.g., the device detects theelectronic device being picked up, moved, and/or tilted by a user), andin response to detecting the change in the position and/or orientationof the device, the device produces, with the one or more tactile outputgenerators, tactile output that has a tactile output profile thatincludes an output parameter that increases as the number of receivedcommunications increases. For example, FIGS. 5X-1 to 5X-3 illustrate achange in the orientation of device 100 that occurs as the device istilted in a user's hand 5230. In response to the change in theorientation of the device, tactile outputs are produced (e.g., assimulated objects 5232 a, 5323 b, 5232 c, and 5232 d roll in thedirection of movement of the device and/or as the virtual objectscollide with lower edge 5236 of display 112).

In some embodiments, the communications are received (1106) while thedevice is in a locked state. In some embodiments, a locked state occurse.g., in response activation of a button (e.g., push button 206) whilethe device is awake and/or when device 100 has been idle for apredetermined amount of time. In some embodiments, a lock screen isdisplayed when device 100 enters a locked state and/or when device 100is awakened from in a locked state.

In some embodiments, the tactile output is produced (1108) while thedevice is in a locked state. For example, without unlocking the device,the user is provided with an impression of the number of communicationsreceived by the device (e.g., while the device was locked and/or sincethe user last viewed the device) by changing the position and/ororientation of the device for tactile output that corresponds to thenumber of received communications.

In some embodiments, the tactile output is produced (1110) while thedisplay is in a non-displaying state. The non-displaying state is, e.g.,a sleep state and/or other state in which the device ceases to generateoutput data for the display.

In some embodiments, the output parameter is (1112) an amplitude of thetactile output. For example, as a number of communications increases,tactile output with a larger amplitude is produced in response to achange in position of the device.

In some embodiments, the output parameter is (1114) a number ofsimulated objects that are simulated by the tactile output. (e.g., anumber of virtual balls rolling around in the device and bouncing off ofvirtual boundaries). For example, as illustrated in FIGS. 5X-1 to 5X-3,as device 100 is tilted in a user's hand 5230, tactile outputs thatcorrespond to four communications (illustrated by simulated objects 5232a, 5323 b, 5232 c, and 5232 d) are produced (e.g., as the virtualobjects roll in the direction of movement of the device and/or as thevirtual objects collide with lower edge 5236 of display 112).

In some embodiments, the tactile output includes simulated impact events(1116) by the simulated objects (e.g., virtual balls bouncing off ofvirtual boundaries as the device is picked up, tilted, and/or shaken)and the number of simulated impact events increases as the number ofcommunications received increases. For example, simulated impact eventsoccur when simulated objects 5232 a, 5323 b, 5232 c, and 5232 d collidewith lower edge 5236 of display 112. In some embodiments, (e.g., asillustrated in FIGS. 5X-2 and 5X-3), the simulated objects are spawnedat different locations, e.g., so that collisions between the simulatedobjects and a collision object (such as the edge 5236 of the display112) occur at different times. For example, simulated object 5232 dtravels a longer path 5234 d from its spawn point to edge 5236 than thepath 5234 c traveled by simulated object 5232 c. In some embodiments,the simulated objects have different simulated accelerations or otherproperties that cause collisions of the objects with edge 5236 (and/oranother collision object) at different times. In this way, a user isenabled to gauge a number of received communications based on a numberof simulated impact events.

In some embodiments, the tactile output profile includes (1118) tactileoutputs to simulate movements of the simulated objects (e.g., along asimulated surface), wherein movement parameters of the simulatedmovements of the simulated objects are dependent on the detected changein the position and/or orientation of the device. For example, tactileoutputs occur as simulated objects 5232 a, 5232 b, 5232 c, and 5232 dmove along paths 5234 a, 5234 b, 5234 c, and 5234 d, respectively. Insome embodiments, faster movement of device 100 causes the simulatedobjects (e.g., 5232 a, 5232 b, 5232 c, and 5232 d) to move faster. Insome embodiments, tilting device 100 at a steeper angle causes thesimulated objects (e.g., 5232 a, 5232 b, 5232 c, and 5232 d) to movefaster, but once the simulated have settled on the simulated edge 5236of display 112, the simulated objects cease moving until the devicemoves.

In some embodiments, the device detects (1120) a user input (e.g., thedevice detects a contact on the touch sensitive surface, a home buttoninput, or a power button input), and in response to detecting the userinput, the device modifies the tactile output profile to simulatemovement of the simulated objects across a surface that has a surfacetexture (e.g., in addition to simulating impacts of the balls withsimulated walls inside of the device, simulate the balls rolling aroundon a simulated grid with its own texture). For example, a simulatedsurface texture is illustrated in FIG. 5Y. Tactile outputs produced bydevice 100 simulate collisions between simulated objects (e.g., 5232 a,5232 b, 5232 c, and 5232 d) and simulated surface features 5240 a, 5240b, 5240 c, 5240 d, etc. as the simulated objects move across device 100.

In some embodiments, a respective simulated object has (1122) asimulated quality (e.g., a simulated size, material, or mass) thatdepends on at least one property of a corresponding notification.

In some embodiments, the at least one property of the correspondingnotification includes (1124) a type of a communication (e.g., urgent vs.regular; text message vs. email vs. call; and/or favorite vs. knownsender vs. unknown sender). In some embodiments, a type of communicationhas a corresponding tactile output that conveys the simulated quality(e.g., simulated size, simulated material, and/or simulated mass) of thesimulated object.

In some embodiments, the tactile output profile for a particularreceived communication is (1126) user configurable (e.g., a user canconfigure different tactile output profiles for different contacts(e.g., contacts in the user's address book/contact list) to act as“haptic ringtones” for the contacts).

In some embodiments, the tactile output is generated (1128) immediatelyin response to the detected change in the position and/or orientation ofthe electronic device (e.g., immediately upon detecting liftoff of thedevice from a stationary surface).

In some embodiments, the change in the position and/or orientation ofthe electronic device is detected at a first time and the tactile outputis generated at a second time when the orientation of the device meetstilt criteria. For example, the tilt criteria include a criterion thatis met when the device orientation deviates from a “flat orientation”(e.g., face down or face up on a level surface such as a table) by apredetermined rotational amount about one or more axes (pitch, yaw,and/or roll).

In some embodiments, the change in the position and/or orientation ofthe electronic device is detected (1130) at a first time and the tactileoutput is generated at a second time that corresponds to occurrence of asimulated impact event, wherein the occurrence of the simulated impactevent is determined based on the change in the position and/ororientation of the electronic device. In some embodiments, a simulatedquality of the simulated object is also used to determine when thesimulated impact event occurs. For example, the simulated quality of thesimulated object is, e.g., a simulated mass, simulated surface texture,simulated acceleration, simulated shape, and/or simulated size. In someembodiments, the occurrence and/or magnitude of the simulated impactevent is determined based on the rate of change in the position and/ororientation of the electronic device.

It should be understood that the particular order in which theoperations in FIGS. 11A-11B have been described is merely an example andis not intended to indicate that the described order is the only orderin which the operations could be performed. One of ordinary skill in theart would recognize various ways to reorder the operations describedherein. Additionally, it should be noted that details of other processesdescribed herein with respect to other methods described herein (e.g.,methods 600, 700, 800, 900, 1000, 1200, and 1300) are also applicable inan analogous manner to method 1100 described above with respect to FIGS.11A-11B. For example, the contacts and tactile outputs described abovewith reference to method 1100 optionally have one or more of thecharacteristics of the contact and tactile outputs described herein withreference to other methods described herein (e.g., methods 600, 700,800, 900, 1000, 1200, and 1300). For brevity, these details are notrepeated here.

FIGS. 12A-12D are flow diagrams illustrating a method 1200 of providingdifferent feedback indicative of an incoming communication depending ona device context, in accordance with some embodiments. The method 1200is performed at an electronic device (e.g., device 300, FIG. 3, orportable multifunction device 100, FIG. 1A) with a display, atouch-sensitive surface, optionally one or more sensors to detectintensity of contacts with the touch-sensitive surface, and one or moretactile output generators. In some embodiments, the display is atouch-screen display and the touch-sensitive surface is on or integratedwith the display. In some embodiments, the display is separate from thetouch-sensitive surface. Some operations in method 1200 are, optionally,combined and/or the order of some operations is, optionally, changed.

When a device provides the same feedback to notify a user of an incomingcommunication regardless of context, the notification may go unnoticed(if the device is contained in a pocket or purse). If the device isconfigured to provide a sufficiently strong notification to be noticedwhen the device is contained, the notification may be undesirably strongwhen the device is in the user's hand or otherwise in a not containedstate (e.g., lying on a table). A level of vibration or sound that isacceptable when a device is in a user's hand or pocket may cause anundesirable level of noise and/or vibration when the device is incontact with a surface such as a table and causes the surface toresonate in response to the notification signal.

As described below, the method 1200 transitions from providing firstfeedback to providing second feedback indicative of an incomingcommunication in response to detecting a change in context of anelectronic device. The method reduces the number, extent, and/or natureof the outputs of the device when a change in the device context occurs,thereby creating a more efficient machine. For battery-operatedelectronic devices, automatically adjusting feedback based on devicecontext conserves power and increases the time between battery charges.

The device includes one or more sensors (e.g., an accelerometer (fordetermining device orientation), a light meter (to determine if deviceis in the pocket), a camera, and/or a microphone (to determinebackground sound level), an audio system, and one or more tactile outputgenerators.

The device receives (1202) an incoming communication (e.g., an incomingcall and/or a videoconference call).

The device determines (1204), using one or more of the sensors, that theelectronic device is in a first use context. For example, the devicedetermines whether the device is in a hand (as illustrated in FIG. 5Z),in a pocket (as illustrated in FIG. 5AA), or face down on a surface suchas a table (as illustrated in FIG. 5BB).

In response to receiving the incoming communication, the device provides(1206) first feedback indicative of the incoming communication.Providing the first feedback indicative of the incoming communicationincludes: providing, with the audio system, a first ongoing audio outputfor the incoming communication, wherein the first ongoing audio outputcorresponds to the first use context (e.g., a default ringtone, areduced amplitude ringtone, an increased amplitude ringtone, a dampedringtone, or a reverberant ringtone assigned to the first use context ofthe device); and providing, with the one or more tactile outputgenerators, a first ongoing tactile output for the incomingcommunication, wherein the first ongoing tactile output has a firsttactile output profile that corresponds to the first use context (e.g.,discrete taps, vibration, vibration and taps, taps with varying density,increased amplitude taps, reduced amplitude taps, increasedamplitude/frequency vibration, or reduced amplitude/frequency vibrationassigned to the first use context of the device).

While providing the first ongoing audio output and the first ongoingtactile output for the incoming communication, the device detects(1208), using one or more of the sensors, that the electronic device isin a second use context, different from the first use context. Forexample, the device determines that the device has moved from a firstuse context to a second one of a hand (as illustrated in FIG. 5Z), in apocket (as illustrated in FIG. 5AA), or face down on a surface such as atable (as illustrated in FIG. 5BB).

In response to detecting that the electronic device is in the second usecontext, the device provides (1210) second feedback indicative of theincoming communication that is different from the first feedback.Providing the second feedback indicative of the incoming communicationincludes: providing, with the one or more tactile output generators, asecond ongoing tactile output for the incoming communication. The secondongoing tactile output has a second tactile output profile thatcorresponds to the second use context (e.g., discrete taps, vibration,vibration and taps, taps with varying density, increased amplitude taps,reduced amplitude taps, increased amplitude/frequency vibration, orreduced amplitude/frequency vibration assigned to the second use contextof the device). In some embodiments, changing from the first feedbackthat notifies a user of an incoming communication to the second feedbackthat notifies the user of the incoming communication includes changingthe ongoing tactile output without changing the ongoing audio output. Insome embodiments, changing from the first feedback that notifies a userof an incoming communication to the second feedback that notifies theuser of the incoming communication includes changing the ongoing audiooutput without changing the ongoing tactile output. In some embodiments,changing from the first feedback that notifies a user of an incomingcommunication to the second feedback that notifies the user of theincoming communication includes changing the ongoing tactile output andchanging the ongoing audio output.

In some embodiments, the second ongoing tactile output for the incomingcommunication is distinct (1214) from the first ongoing tactile outputfor the incoming communication. For example, in FIG. 5AA, tactileoutputs occur at a first frequency, as indicated in the Tap-basedTactile Output graph of FIG. 5AA, whereas in FIG. 5BB, tactile outputsoccur as a second frequency that is lower than the first frequency, asindicated in the Tap-based Tactile Output graph of FIG. 5BB. In someembodiments, when the device is in a pocket, as illustrated in FIG. 5AA,the device outputs primarily vibrations (e.g., oscillating output, suchas oscillating output having a minimum frequency, or a periodic stepfunction having a maximum time (e.g., <0.5 s) between taps), e.g., toprovide noticeable feedback to user. When the device is on a table, asillustrated in FIG. 5BB, the device uses primarily taps (e.g., stepfunction output, such as periodic step function having a minimum time(e.g., >0.5 s between taps) when the device is on a table, e.g., toavoid vibration of the device on the table. For example, in FIG. 5AA,vibration output occurs as indicated in the Vibration Output graph ofFIG. 5AA, whereas in FIG. 5BB, no vibration output occurs, as indicatedin the Vibration Output graph of FIG. 5BB.

In some embodiments, providing the second feedback indicative of theincoming communication includes (1216) providing, with the audio system,a second ongoing audio output for the incoming communication, whereinthe second ongoing audio output corresponds to the second use context.For example, the second ongoing audio output is, e.g., a defaultringtone, a reduced amplitude ringtone, increased amplitude ringtone,damped ringtone, or reverberant ringtone assigned to the second usecontext of the device.

In some embodiments, the second ongoing audio output for the incomingcommunication is distinct from the first ongoing audio output for theincoming communication (e.g., different amplitude, different frequency,different tones, and/or different decay/reverberation properties). Forexample, the audio indicated in the Audio Output graph of FIG. 5Z has alower amplitude than the audio indicated in the Audio Output graph ofFIG. 5AA.

In some embodiments, at least one audio characteristic is shared (1218)between the first ongoing audio output and the second ongoing audiooutput. In some embodiments, there is a smooth transition betweendifferent audio outputs (e.g., the frequency, amplitude, or volume ofaudio or tactile output gradually increases or decreases over time froma first value corresponding to a first state to a second valuecorresponding to a second state). In some embodiments, the first ongoingaudio output and the second ongoing audio output have the same notes(e.g., same component frequencies) but with different properties, suchas different decay, different amplitude, and/or different reverb.

In some embodiments, at least one audio parameter changes (1220) duringa transition from the first ongoing audio output to the second ongoingaudio output as at least one tactile parameter changes (e.g.,proportionally and/or in parallel) during a transition from the firstongoing tactile output to the second ongoing tactile output. Forexample, the tactile output illustrated in FIG. 5Z is different (e.g.,has a lower frequency than) the tactile output is illustrate in FIG. 5AAand the audio output illustrated in FIG. 5Z is different (e.g., has alower amplitude than) the audio output illustrated in FIG. 5AA.

In some embodiments (1222), the first use context is in a partiallyenclosed space (e.g., the first use context is in a pocket, asdetermined, for example, by a light sensor) and the first ongoing audiooutput has a first amplitude; and the second use context is in a spacethat is less enclosed than the partially enclosed space (e.g., thesecond use context is in a hand or on a table) and the second ongoingaudio output has a second amplitude that is smaller than the firstamplitude. For example, in FIG. 5AA, device 100 is in a pocket 5250, andin FIG. 5Z, device 100 is in hand 5230. In FIG. 5Z (which illustrates aless enclosed space), the audio output has a smaller amplitude than theaudio output illustrated in FIG. 5AA (which illustrates a partiallyenclosed space). In some embodiments, increasing the audio output whenthe device is partially enclosed allows the device to be heard by auser, e.g., through a pocket or purse wall.

In some embodiments (1224), the first use context has a first backgroundnoise level (e.g., a sound pressure level (dB or dBA) as determined, forexample, by an audio sensor) and the first ongoing audio output has afirst amplitude; and the second use context has a second backgroundnoise level that is louder than the first background noise level and thesecond ongoing audio output has a second amplitude that is greater thanthe first amplitude.

In some embodiments (1226), the first use context has a first noisefrequency distribution (as determined, for example, by an audio sensor)and the first ongoing audio output has a first audio frequencydistribution; and the second use context has a second noise frequencydistribution that is different from the first noise frequencydistribution (e.g., higher in one or more frequency ranges, such as oneor more frequency ranges that correspond to human voice range) and thesecond ongoing audio output has a greater amplitude than the firstongoing audio output in at least one frequency range. In someembodiments, noise frequency distribution is determined in octave bands,one-third octave bands, or higher resolution frequency ranges (e.g.,using a FFT).

In some embodiments (1228), the first use context is on a stationarysurface (e.g., the first use context is on a table, as illustrated inFIG. 5BB) and the first ongoing audio output has a first amplitude; andthe second use context is in hand (e.g., as illustrated in FIG. 5Z) andthe second ongoing audio output has a second amplitude that is smallerthan the first amplitude. In some embodiments, the device displays firstdisplay content in the first use context and the device displays seconddisplay content that is different from the first display content in thesecond use context. For example, second display content includesidentifying information for a caller.

In some embodiments (1230), the first ongoing audio output, the firstongoing tactile output, the second ongoing audio output, and the secondongoing tactile output are feedback indicative of the same incomingcommunication.

In some embodiments, while providing the second ongoing tactile outputfor the incoming communication, the device detects (1232), using one ormore of the sensors, that the electronic device is in a third usecontext, different from the first use context and different from thesecond use context; and, in response to detecting that the electronicdevice is in the third use context, the device provides third feedbackindicative of the incoming communication that is different from thefirst feedback and different from the second feedback, wherein providingthe third feedback indicative of the incoming communication includesproviding, with the one or more tactile output generators, a thirdongoing tactile output for the incoming communication, wherein the thirdongoing tactile output has a third tactile output profile thatcorresponds to the third use context.

In some embodiments, providing the third feedback indicative of theincoming communication includes providing (1234), with the audio system,a third ongoing audio output for the incoming communication, wherein thethird ongoing audio output corresponds to the third use context (e.g., adefault ringtone, reduced amplitude ringtone, increased amplituderingtone, damped ringtone, or reverberant ringtone assigned to thesecond use context of the device).

In some embodiments (1236), the first use context is one of in a pocket(e.g., pocket 5250 as illustrated in FIG. 5AA), on a stationary surface(e.g., table 5252 as illustrated in FIG. 5BB), or in a hand (e.g., hand5230 as illustrated in FIG. 5Z) and the second use context is anotherone of in a pocket, on a stationary surface, or in a hand. For example,the first use context occurs when the electronic device is in a pocketand the second use context occurs when the electronic device is on astationary surface, such as a table.

In some embodiments (1238), when the device is determined to be in acontext that indicates the device is in a user's pocket (e.g., asillustrated in FIG. 5AA), the ongoing audio output corresponding to theincoming communication is undamped and the ongoing tactile outputcorresponding to the incoming communication includes high-saliencetactile components (e.g., vibrations that correspond to periodicoscillations of a mass in the tactile output generators, such as thevibrations illustrated in the Vibration Output graph of FIG. 5AA) andlow-salience tactile components (e.g., “taps” that correspond todiscrete activations of the tactile output generators, such as thediscrete tactile outputs illustrated in the Tap-based Tactile Outputgraph of FIG. 5AA); when the device is determined to be in a contextthat indicates the device is in a user's hand (e.g., as illustrated inFIG. 5Z), the ongoing audio output corresponding to the incomingcommunication is undamped and the ongoing tactile output correspondingto the incoming communication includes the high-salience tactilecomponents (e.g., the vibrations illustrated in the Vibration Outputgraph of FIG. 5Z) and low-salience tactile components (e.g., “taps” thatcorrespond to discrete activations of the tactile output generators,such as the discrete tactile outputs illustrated in the Tap-basedTactile output graph of FIG. 5Z) but includes a reduced number of thelow-salience and high-salience tactile components relative to theongoing tactile output corresponding to the incoming communication whenthe device is determined to be in a context that indicates the device isin a user's hand; and, when the device is determined to be in a contextthat indicates the device is in display-side down on a surface (e.g.,face-down on a table 5252 in front of the user), the ongoing audiooutput corresponding to the incoming communication is damped (e.g., asillustrated at 5254 of FIG. 5BB) and the ongoing tactile outputcorresponding to the incoming communication includes a reduced number ofthe low-salience and high-salience tactile components relative to theongoing tactile output corresponding to the incoming communication whenthe device is determined to be in a context that indicates the device isin a user's hand. In some embodiments, the ongoing audio outputcorresponding to the incoming communication when the device isdetermined to be in a context that indicates the device is in a user'shand does not include any high-salience tactile components.

It should be understood that the particular order in which theoperations in FIGS. 12A-12D have been described is merely an example andis not intended to indicate that the described order is the only orderin which the operations could be performed. One of ordinary skill in theart would recognize various ways to reorder the operations describedherein. Additionally, it should be noted that details of other processesdescribed herein with respect to other methods described herein (e.g.,methods 600, 700, 800, 900, 1000, 1100, and 1300) are also applicable inan analogous manner to method 1200 described above with respect to FIGS.12A-12D. For example, the tactile outputs described above with referenceto method 1200 optionally have one or more of the characteristics of thetactile outputs described herein with reference to other methodsdescribed herein (e.g., methods 600, 700, 800, 900, 1000, 1100, and1300). For brevity, these details are not repeated here.

FIGS. 13A-13D are flow diagrams illustrating a method 1300 of providingdifferent feedback indicative of an incoming communication depending ona device context, in accordance with some embodiments. The method 1300is performed at an electronic device (e.g., device 300, FIG. 3, orportable multifunction device 100, FIG. 1A) with a display, atouch-sensitive surface, and an audio system (e.g., speakers andassociated audio circuitry 110) and/or one or more tactile outputgenerators 167. The electronic device optionally includes one or moresensors to detect intensity of contacts with the touch-sensitivesurface. In some embodiments, the display is a touch-screen display andthe touch-sensitive surface is on or integrated with the display. Insome embodiments, the display is separate from the touch-sensitivesurface. Some operations in method 1300 are, optionally, combined and/orthe order of some operations is, optionally, changed.

This method relates to attenuating alerts on a device based on a user'sattention level. Specifically, upon detecting an event to which an alertis associated, the device delays outputting the alert until it candetermine whether the device is in a first use context (e.g., in whichthe user is paying attention to the device) or in a second use context(e.g., in which the user is not paying attention to the device). If thedevice is determined to be in the first use context, the device outputsone version of the alert (e.g., including a first audio and/or tactileoutput), and if the device is determined to be in the second usecontext, the device outputs a different version of the alert (e.g.,including a second audio and/or tactile output distinct from the first).Delaying the alert until the user's level of attention can be determinedand providing an appropriate output according to the determinationprovides improved feedback in that different audio and/or tactileoutputs can more effectively grab the attention of an inattentive user,while at the same time not overwhelming a user who is already payingattention to the device. Providing improved feedback in this wayenhances the operability of the device and makes the user-deviceinterface more efficient (e.g., by providing an indication of theinternal state of the device while avoiding unnecessary outputs), whichadditionally reduces power usage and improves battery life of the deviceby enabling the device to more selectively regulate alert levels and/orintensities, thereby avoiding unnecessary feedback.

The device detects (1302) an alert event (e.g., an instruction togenerate an alert, such as audio, tactile, and/or vibration signals).For example, the device (e.g., operating system 126 or haptic feedbackmodule 133 of the device) receives from telephone module 138 (e.g., inresponse to an incoming call) or from alarm clock widget 149-4 (e.g., inresponse to reaching a preselected time or lapse of a preselected timeperiod) an instruction or a request to generate an alert (or aninstruction or a request to generate audio and/or tactile feedback).

In some embodiments, the alert event corresponds (1304) to one of: arequest for playing a ringtone (e.g., from telephone module 138, toindicate an incoming call), a request for triggering an alarm (e.g.,from alarm clock widget 149-4, to indicate reaching a preselected time),and a request for providing a timer alert (e.g., from alarm clock widget149-4 or a separate timer widget, to indicate lapse of a preselectedtime period).

Attenuating alerts for ringtones, alarms, and/or timers based on userattention levels provides improved feedback which enhances theoperability of the device and makes the user-device interface moreefficient (e.g., by providing an indication of the internal state of thedevice in response to incoming calls, the triggering of alarms, and/orthe countdown of timers, while avoiding unnecessary outputs forsituations in which the user is already paying attention to the device)which, additionally, reduces power usage and improves battery life ofthe device by enabling the device to more selectively regulate alertlevels and/or intensities, thereby avoiding unnecessary feedback. Inaddition, attenuating alerts reduces startling the user while the useris already paying attention to the device, thereby improving userexperience.

In response to receiving the alert event, the device delays (1306)provision of feedback indicative of the alert event until determiningwhether the electronic device is in a first use context or in a seconduse context that is distinct from the first use context. In someembodiments, the device delays provision of audio and/or tactilefeedback without delaying provision of visual feedback (e.g., updating auser interface of the device) until the determination is made. In someembodiments, the device delays provision of any feedback (e.g., audio,tactile, or visual) until the determination is made so that no feedbackis provided until the determination is made.

In some embodiments, the first use context indicates (1308) that a useris interacting, or has interacted within a predefined time period, withthe electronic device; and the second use context indicates that theuser is not interacting, or has not interacted within the predefinedtime period, with the electronic device. In some embodiments, the deviceis deemed to be in the first use context if the user is interacting withthe device (e.g., providing inputs to the device). In some embodiments,the device is deemed to be in the first use context if the user hasinteracted with the device within the predefined time period (e.g., 30seconds, 1 minute, 2 minutes, 3 minutes, etc.). In some embodiments, thedevice is deemed to be in the second use context if the user is notinteracting with the device (e.g., no input is being provided to thedevice) and the user has not interacted with the device within thepredefined time period (e.g., 30 seconds, 1 minute, 2 minutes, 3minutes, etc.).

Expanding the use contexts to account for attention based on recentinteractions with the device (in addition to current attention) enhancesthe operability of the device and makes the user-device interface moreefficient by avoiding unnecessary feedback (e.g., by not outputting themore impactful feedback for situations in which the user recentlystopped interacting with the device but is likely still close enough tonotice the less impactful feedback) which, additionally, reduces powerusage and improves battery life of the device by enabling the device tomore selectively regulate alert levels and/or intensities, therebyavoiding unnecessary feedback.

In some embodiments, the first use context indicates (1310) that a faceof a user is detected (e.g., based on a camera that is on a same side ofthe device as a display of the device); and the second use contextindicates that a face of a user is not detected. For example, in someembodiments, the device is deemed to be in the first use context if aface of any user (e.g., any person) is detected without recognizing theface as a face of any particular user (e.g., a registered user), and thedevice is deemed to be in the second use context if no face is detected.

In some embodiments, the second use context indicates that a face of auser is not recognized (e.g., even if a face is detected, the detectedface does not match a face of any registered user); and the first usecontext indicates that the face of the user is recognized (e.g., a faceis detected and recognized as a face of a registered user). In someembodiments, the second use context indicates that a face of a user isnot recognized and that the user has not interacted within thepredefined time period with the electronic device; and the first usecontext indicates that the face of the user is recognized or that theuser has interacted within the predefined time period with theelectronic device.

Determining use contexts based on facial detection enhances theoperability of the device and makes the user-device interface moreefficient (e.g., by reducing the number of inputs needed to acknowledgean alert) and improves the longevity of the device (e.g., by eliminatingunnecessary pressure and friction on the touch-sensitive surface duringuser inputs, and thereby reducing structural fatigue of thetouch-sensitive surface). Further, using facial detection as anindicator of attentiveness enhances the operability of the device andmakes the user-device interface more efficient by making use of thenatural assumption that a user looks at whatever the user is givingattention to, which additionally reduces power usage and improvesbattery life of the device by enabling the device to more selectivelyregulate alert levels and/or intensities, thereby avoiding unnecessaryfeedback when the user is not paying attention to the device.

In some embodiments, the device determines whether the electronic deviceis in the first use context or the second use context. In someembodiments, the device determines that the electronic device is in thefirst use context (but not in the second use context). In someembodiments, the device determines that the electronic device is in thesecond use context (but not in the first use context).

In response to determining whether the electronic device is in the firstuse context or the second use context, the device, in accordance with adetermination that the electronic device is in the first use context(e.g., a context in which a user of the device is determined to bepaying attention to the device), provides (1312, FIG. 13B) firstfeedback indicative of the alert event (e.g., operation 5460, FIG. 5CC).The first feedback includes a first audio output and/or a first tactileoutput.

In some embodiments, the device forgoes (1314) monitoring whether theelectronic device has transitioned from the first use context to thesecond use context; and/or forgoes transitioning from providing thefirst feedback to providing the second feedback (e.g., as shown in FIG.5DD, once the device is determined to be in the first use context, thedevice does not monitor whether the device has transitioned to thesecond use context). In some embodiments, the device forgoestransitioning from providing at least a portion of the first feedback toproviding at least a portion of the second feedback (e.g., once thedevice has provided at least a portion of the first feedback, the devicedoes not transition to providing the second feedback or any portionthereof).

Forgoing further reevaluations of attentiveness when the device has beendetermined to be in the first use context (e.g., in which the user ispaying attention) makes use of an assumption that once a user notices analert, any subsequent lack of attention to the device is purposeful andinformed (e.g., the user decides to ignore the alert after having givenit attention), and therefore the device need not switch to the moreimpactful feedback (e.g., corresponding to the user not payingattention). Forgoing updates to the alert feedback after the user hasseen the alert further reduces power usage and improves battery life ofthe device by reducing the computational loads on the device andenabling the device to more selectively regulate alert levels and/orintensities.

In accordance with a determination that the electronic device is in thesecond use context (e.g., a context in which a user of the device isdetermined not to be paying attention to the device) that is distinctfrom the first use context, the device provides (1316) second feedbackindicative of the alert event (e.g., operation 5460 in FIG. 5CC). Thesecond feedback includes a second audio output that is distinct from thefirst audio output and/or a second tactile output that is distinct fromthe first tactile output (e.g., the second audio output has a highervolume than the first audio output and/or the second tactile output hasa larger amplitude than the first tactile output).

In some embodiments, while providing the first feedback indicative ofthe alert event, the device monitors (1318) whether the electronicdevice has transitioned from the second use context to the first usecontext (e.g., operation 5464 in FIG. 5DD). In response to determiningthat the electronic device has transitioned from the second use contextto the first use context, the device transitions from providing thesecond feedback to providing the first feedback (e.g., operation 5462 tooperation 5460 as shown in FIG. 5DD). In some embodiments, in responseto determining that the electronic device has transitioned from thesecond use context to the first use context, the device transitions fromproviding at least a portion of the first feedback to providing at leasta portion of the second feedback (e.g., FIG. 5GG).

Monitoring the user's attentiveness in the midst of outputting an alertand switching the alert's feedback based on a determination that theuser's attentiveness has changed further enhances the operability of thedevice and makes the user-device interface more efficient (e.g., byproviding an indication of the internal state of the device that is moreresponsive to the user's interactions with the device) and therebyreduces power usage and improves battery life of the device by enablingthe device to switch from using more power hungry feedback when thesituation no longer calls for it.

In some embodiments, transitioning from providing the second feedback toproviding the first feedback includes (1320): transitioning fromproviding the second audio output to providing the first audio outputover a first period of time (e.g., t1 in FIG. 5GG); and transitioningfrom providing the second tactile output to providing the first tactileoutput over a second period of time (e.g., t2 in FIG. 5GG) that is lessthan the first period of time. In some embodiments, transitioning fromproviding the second feedback to providing the first feedback includes:transitioning from determining that the electronic device hastransitioned from the second use context to the first use context toproviding the first audio output over a first period of time (e.g., t1′in FIG. 5GG); and transitioning from determining that the electronicdevice has transitioned from the second use context to the first usecontext to providing the first tactile output over a second period oftime (e.g., t2′ in FIG. 5GG) that is less than the first period of time.

Transitioning between audio outputs more gradually than between tactileoutputs further reduces power usage and improves battery life of thedevice by taking advantage of varying levels of user sensitivity tochanges in audio versus tactile feedback. Specifically, since sharpchanges in tactile feedback are less perceptible than sharp changes inaudio feedback, the more gradual audio transition enhances the user'saudio experience while the sharp tactile transition reduces power usageand improves battery life of the device.

In some embodiments, the first audio output has (1322, FIG. 13C) a firstvolume (e.g., a first representative volume, such as an average volume)and the second audio output has a second volume (e.g., a secondrepresentative volume, such as an average volume) that is greater thanthe first volume (e.g., the first volume is less than the secondvolume). For example, the second audio output shown in FIG. 5EE has agreater volume than the first audio output shown in FIG. 5FF.

Reducing the volume for an alert when the device detects that a user ispaying attention provides improved feedback which enhances theoperability of the device and makes the user-device interface moreefficient (e.g., by providing an indication of the internal state of thedevice while avoiding unnecessarily high volumes) which, additionally,reduces power usage and improves battery life of the device by enablingthe device to more selectively regulate high volume levels when they arenot needed, thereby avoiding unnecessary feedback.

In some embodiments, the first volume corresponds (1324) to a reductionof the second volume by a reduction factor; and the reduction factor isselected based on a volume property of the electronic device. Forexample, a high reduction factor is used when a (ringer) volume settingof the electronic device is high, and a low reduction factor is usedwhen the (ringer) volume setting of the electronic device is low.

Reducing the volume for an alert by an amount determined by a volumesetting of the device provides improved feedback which enhances theoperability of the device and makes the user-device interface moreefficient by preventing the volume from reducing to a level that is solow that the user cannot hear the alert (e.g., in situations where thedevice's volume is already reduced before the alert event due to aninitial setting). In addition, reducing the volume for an alert by anamount determined by a volume setting of the device allows reducing thevolume more when the device's volume is high so that the first audiooutput is not too loud, thereby improving the operability of the device.

In some embodiments, the first audio output corresponds (1326) to anoutput obtained by applying a low pass filter to the second audio output(e.g., FIG. 5LL). For example, when a low pass filter is applied to thesecond audio output to obtain the first audio output, the first audiooutput includes low frequency components of the second audio outputwithout suppression but includes high frequency components of the secondaudio output with suppression (e.g., amplitudes of the high frequencycomponents are reduced in the first audio output).

Applying a low pass filter to the audio output for an alert to providedwhen the device detects that a user is paying attention providesimproved feedback which enhances the operability of the device and makesthe user-device interface more efficient (e.g., by maintaining thecharacter of the alert while providing a muffled version of the feedbackto allow for less distraction while the user tends to the alert) which,additionally, reduces power usage and improves battery life of thedevice by enabling the device to more selectively regulate highfrequencies when they are not needed, thereby avoiding unnecessaryfeedback.

In some embodiments, the second audio output includes (1328) two or moreaudio tracks; and the first audio output includes a subset, less thanall, of the two or more audio tracks. For example, as shown in FIG. 5MM,the second audio output includes three audio output tracks, and thefirst audio output includes only two of the three audio output tracks(e.g., audio output track 2 is omitted in the first audio output). Insome embodiments, each audio track corresponds to a particular musicalinstrument (e.g., the first audio track corresponds to a guitar, thesecond audio track corresponds to drums, and the third audio trackcorresponds to a keyboard). In such embodiments, removing one or moreaudio output tracks removes audio tracks corresponding to one or moremusical instruments.

Reducing the number of audio tracks that are included in the output foran alert when the device detects that a user is paying attentionprovides improved feedback which enhances the operability of the deviceand makes the user-device interface more efficient (e.g., by maintainingthe character of the alert while providing a simpler version of thefeedback with fewer audio components to allow for less distraction whilethe user tends to the alert) which, additionally, reduces power usageand improves battery life of the device by enabling the device to moreselectively regulate audio tracks when they are not needed, therebyavoiding unnecessary feedback.

In some embodiments, the second audio output includes (1330) a firstaudio track at a third volume and a second audio track at a fourthvolume; and the first audio output includes the first audio tracking atthe third volume and the second audio track at a fifth volume that isless than the fourth volume. For example, as shown in FIG. 5NN, thesecond audio output includes audio output track 1 at a particular volume(e.g., a third volume) and audio output track 2 at another volume (e.g.,a fourth volume, which may or may not be the same as the third volume).The first audio output includes audio output track at the sameparticular volume (e.g., the third volume) and audio output track 2 at areduced volume (e.g., a fifth volume that is less than the fourthvolume).

Selectively reducing the volume for certain audio tracks whilepreserving the volume of others for an alert when the device detectsthat a user is paying attention provides improved feedback whichenhances the operability of the device and makes the user-deviceinterface more efficient (e.g., by maintaining the character of thealert while providing a simpler version of the feedback with lesspronounced audio components to allow for less distraction while the usertends to the alert) which, additionally, reduces power usage andimproves battery life of the device by enabling the device to moreselectively regulate audio tracks, thereby avoiding unnecessaryfeedback.

In some embodiments, the first audio output corresponds (1332) to anoutput of applying a respective audio filter to the second audio output;and the respective audio filter is selected based on a type of audiocontent of the second audio output. In some embodiments, the audiocontent of the second audio output is determined based on frequencycomponents of the second audio output, as described above with respectto FIG. 5LL, or musical instruments associated with the second audiooutput (e.g., a low pass filter with a low cutoff frequency is used forbass musical instruments and a low pass filter with a high cutofffrequency is used for alto musical instruments). In some embodiments,the audio content of the second audio output is determined based on atype of the alert event (e.g., whether the alert event is associatedwith an incoming call, an alarm, or a timer), as shown in FIG. 5LL.

Applying respective filters to audio tracks based on the content of thetrack for an alert when the device detects that a user is payingattention provides improved feedback which enhances the operability ofthe device and makes the user-device interface more efficient (e.g., bycustomizing the filtering for each track based on differences incontent, thereby maintaining an acceptable level of sound quality whileallowing for less distraction while the user tends to the alert) which,additionally, reduces power usage and improves battery life of thedevice by enabling the device to more selectively regulate audio tracks,thereby avoiding unnecessary feedback.

In some embodiments, a first audio filter is used for a first audiotrack and a second audio filter that is distinct from the first audiofilter is used for a second audio track (because the first audio trackincludes a first type of audio content and the second audio trackincludes a second type of audio content that is distinct from the firsttype of audio content).

In some embodiments, providing the second feedback indicative of thealert event includes (1334) generating the second audio output byoutputting an audio alert without applying a first filter or a secondfilter to the audio alert (e.g., the second audio output is anunfiltered audio output). Providing the first feedback indicative of thealert event includes: in accordance with a determination that an audioalert designated for the alert event is a first type of audio alert,generating the first audio output by applying the first filter to theaudio alert of the first type; and in accordance with a determinationthat the audio alert designated for the alert event is a second type ofaudio alert, generating the first audio output by applying the secondfilter to the audio alert of the second type. For example, an audiofilter is selected based on the type of the audio alert for generatingthe first audio output (e.g., a first audio filter is used for anincoming call, a second audio filter is used for a timer alert, and athird audio filter is used for an alarm clock).

Applying (or removing) respective filters to audio alerts based on thetype of alert when the device detects that a user is paying attentionprovides improved feedback which enhances the operability of the deviceand makes the user-device interface more efficient (e.g., by customizingthe filtering for different types of alerts, thereby maintaining anacceptable level of sound quality while allowing for less distractionwhile the user tends to the alert) which, additionally, reduces powerusage and improves battery life of the device by enabling the device tomore selectively regulate audio outputs, thereby avoiding unnecessaryfeedback.

In some embodiments, providing the first feedback indicative of thealert event includes: in accordance with a determination that an audioalert designated for the alert event is a first type of audio alert,generating the first audio output by applying a first filter to theaudio alert of the first type; and in accordance with a determinationthat the audio alert designated for the alert event is a second type ofaudio alert, generating the first audio output by applying a secondfilter to the audio alert of the second type. Providing the secondfeedback indicative of the alert event includes generating the secondaudio output by outputting the first audio alert without applying thefirst filter or the second filter.

In some embodiments, the first tactile output has (1336, FIG. 13D) afirst amplitude (e.g., a first representative amplitude, such as anaverage amplitude) and the second tactile output has a second amplitude(e.g., a second representative amplitude, such as an average amplitude)that is greater than the first amplitude (e.g., the first amplitude oftap-based tactile output 5504 is less than the second amplitude oftap-based tactile output 5502 as shown in FIG. 5HH).

Reducing the amplitude for an alert when the device detects that a useris paying attention provides improved feedback which enhances theoperability of the device and makes the user-device interface moreefficient (e.g., by providing an indication of the internal state of thedevice while avoiding tactile outputs with unnecessarily highamplitudes) which, additionally, reduces power usage and improvesbattery life of the device by enabling the device to more selectivelyregulate high amplitude levels when they are not needed, therebyavoiding unnecessary feedback.

In some embodiments, the first tactile output is a first sequence oftactile output components (e.g., tap-based tactile output components intap-based tactile output 5504, FIG. 5HH) and the second tactile outputis a second sequence of tactile outputs (e.g., tap-based tactile outputcomponents in tap-based tactile output 5502, FIG. 5HH) that correspondsto at least a portion of the first sequence of tactile outputs with areduced amplitude (e.g., tactile outputs in the second sequence oftactile outputs have 75% or 50% of the amplitude of correspondingtactile outputs in the first sequence of tactile outputs), as shown inFIG. 5HH.

In some embodiments, the first tactile output includes (1338) a firstnumber of tactile output components; the second tactile output includesa second number of tactile output components; and the second number isless than the first number. For example, as shown in FIG. 5JJ, the firsttactile output has more tactile output components (e.g., discretetactile outputs) than the second tactile output. In some cases, a singletactile output component in the second tactile output is replaced withmultiple tactile output components (e.g., in FIG. 5JJ, single tactileoutput component 5528 is replaced with three tactile output components5530, 5532, and 5534). In some embodiments, the multiple tactile outputcomponents have a lower amplitude than the single tactile outputcomponent, as shown in FIG. 5JJ (e.g., the multiple tactile outputcomponents are MiniTaps or MicroTaps shown in FIGS. 4G-4H and 4J-4K, andthe single tactile output component is a FullTap shown in FIGS. 4F and4I; alternatively, the multiple tactile output components are MicroTapsshown in FIGS. 4H and 4K, and the single tactile output component is aMiniTap shown in FIGS. 4G and 4J).

Outputting a different number of tactile outputs for an alert when thedevice detects that a user is paying attention provides improvedfeedback which enhances the operability of the device and makes theuser-device interface more efficient (e.g., by providing an indicationof the internal state of the device while avoiding tactile outputs withunnecessary characteristics) which, additionally, reduces power usageand improves battery life of the device by enabling the device to moreselectively regulate certain types of tactile outputs when they are notneeded, thereby avoiding unnecessary feedback.

In some embodiments, the second tactile output includes (1340) aplurality of tactile output components; and the first tactile outputincludes a subset, less than all, of the plurality of tactile outputcomponents. For example, as shown in FIG. 5KK, the second tactile outputincludes tactile output components 5526 and 5528, and the first tactileoutput includes tactile output component 5526 but does not includetactile output component 5528.

Reducing the number of tactile output components for an alert when thedevice detects that a user is paying attention provides improvedfeedback which enhances the operability of the device and makes theuser-device interface more efficient (e.g., by providing an indicationof the internal state of the device while minimizing the amount oftactile output components needed to signal the alert to the user) which,additionally, reduces power usage and improves battery life of thedevice by enabling the device to more selectively regulate high numbersof tactile output components when they are not needed, thereby avoidingunnecessary feedback.

In some embodiments, the second feedback includes (1342) a firstvibration output that is generated by repeated oscillations of a tactileoutput generator at a respective frequency. The first feedback includesa sequence of tactile output components in place of the first vibrationoutput. The tactile output components in the sequence of tactile outputcomponents correspond to separate activations of a tactile outputgenerator instead of repeated oscillations of a tactile output generatorat the respective frequency (e.g., there are pauses when the tactileoutput generator is not moving in between the separate activations ofthe tactile output generator). For example, as shown in FIG. 5GG, thevibration output included in the second feedback is replaced withtactile output components in the first feedback.

Separating activations of a tactile generator for an alert when thedevice detects that a user is paying attention (versus providingrepeated oscillations with no separations) provides improved feedbackwhich enhances the operability of the device and makes the user-deviceinterface more efficient (e.g., by providing an indication of theinternal state of the device while minimizing the amount of workrequired by the tactile output generator) which, additionally, reducespower usage and improves battery life of the device by enabling thedevice to more selectively regulate tactile output patterns, therebyavoiding unnecessary feedback.

In some embodiments, providing the first feedback indicative of thealert event includes (1344) transitioning from providing the secondfeedback to providing third feedback that includes a third audio outputand/or a third tactile output, followed by a transition to providing thefirst feedback. A volume of the third audio output is less than a volumeof the second audio output and greater than a volume of the first audiooutput, and/or an amplitude of the third tactile output is less than anamplitude of the second tactile output and greater than an amplitude ofthe first tactile output. For example, as shown in FIG. 5OO,transitioning from providing audio output track 1 to providing audiooutput track 3 includes first transitioning from providing audio outputtrack 1 to providing audio output track 2 and subsequently transitioningfrom providing audio output track 2 to providing audio output track 3.An amplitude of audio output track 2, A₂, is less than an amplitude ofaudio output track 1, A₁, and an amplitude of audio output track 3, A₃,is less than the amplitude of audio output track 2, A₂. Thus, as thedevice progresses through the multiple audio output tracks, the overallvolume of the audio output is reduced over time.

Progressively reducing the volume and/or amplitude for an alert when thedevice detects that a user is paying attention provides improvedfeedback which enhances the operability of the device and makes theuser-device interface more efficient (e.g., by transitioning to lowerpower outputs while accounting for user sensitivities regarding sharpvolume and/or amplitude transitions) which, additionally, reduces powerusage and improves battery life of the device by enabling the device toregulate high volume and/or amplitude levels when they are not needed,thereby avoiding unnecessary feedback.

It should be understood that the particular order in which theoperations in FIGS. 13A-13D have been described is merely an example andis not intended to indicate that the described order is the only orderin which the operations could be performed. One of ordinary skill in theart would recognize various ways to reorder the operations describedherein. Additionally, it should be noted that details of other processesdescribed herein with respect to other methods described herein (e.g.,methods 600, 700, 800, 900, 1000, 1100, and 1200) are also applicable inan analogous manner to method 1300 described above with respect to FIGS.13A-13D. For example, the tactile outputs described above with referenceto method 1300 optionally have one or more of the characteristics of thetactile outputs described herein with reference to other methodsdescribed herein (e.g., methods 600, 700, 800, 900, 1000, 1100, and1200). For brevity, these details are not repeated here.

The operations in the methods described above are, optionallyimplemented by running one or more functional modules in informationprocessing apparatus such as general purpose processors (e.g., asdescribed above with respect to FIGS. 1A and 3) or application specificchips.

The operations described above with reference to FIGS. 6A-6C are,optionally, implemented by components depicted in FIGS. 1A-1B. Forexample, display operation 602 and detection operation 604 are,optionally, implemented by event sorter 170, event recognizer 180, andevent handler 190. Event monitor 171 in event sorter 170 detects acontact on touch-sensitive display 112, and event dispatcher module 174delivers the event information to application 136-1. A respective eventrecognizer 180 of application 136-1 compares the event information torespective event definitions 186, and determines whether a first contactat a first location on the touch-sensitive surface (or whether rotationof the device) corresponds to a predefined event or sub-event, such asselection of an object on a user interface, or rotation of the devicefrom one orientation to another. When a respective predefined event orsub-event is detected, event recognizer 180 activates an event handler190 associated with the detection of the event or sub-event. Eventhandler 190 optionally uses or calls data updater 176 or object updater177 to update the application internal state 192. In some embodiments,event handler 190 accesses a respective GUI updater 178 to update whatis displayed by the application. Similarly, it would be clear to aperson having ordinary skill in the art how other processes can beimplemented based on the components depicted in FIGS. 1A-1B.

Similarly, the operations described above with reference to FIGS. 7A-7Dare, optionally, implemented by components depicted in FIGS. 1A-1B. Forexample, display operation 702, detection operation 704, and producingoperation 706 are, optionally, implemented by event sorter 170, eventrecognizer 180, and event handler 190. The operations described abovewith reference to FIGS. 8A-8C are, optionally, implemented by componentsdepicted in FIGS. 1A-1B. For example, display operation 802 anddetection operation 804 are, optionally, implemented by event sorter170, event recognizer 180, and event handler 190. The operationsdescribed above with reference to FIG. 9 are, optionally, implemented bycomponents depicted in FIGS. 1A-1B. For example, display operation 902,detection operation 904, move operation 908, and output operation 910are, optionally, implemented by event sorter 170, event recognizer 180,and event handler 190. The operations described above with reference toFIG. 10 are, optionally, implemented by components depicted in FIGS.1A-1B. For example, display operation 1002 and detection operation 1004are, optionally, implemented by event sorter 170, event recognizer 180,and event handler 190. The operations described above with reference toFIGS. 11A-11B are, optionally, implemented by components depicted inFIGS. 1A-1B. For example, receiving operation 1102 is optionally,implemented by event sorter 170, event recognizer 180, and event handler190. The operations described above with reference to FIGS. 12A-12D are,optionally, implemented by components depicted in FIGS. 1A-1B. Forexample, receiving operation 1202, determination operation 1204, andproviding operation 1206 are, optionally, implemented by event sorter170, event recognizer 180, and event handler 190. The operationsdescribed above with reference to FIGS. 13A-13D are, optionally,implemented by components depicted in FIGS. 1A-1B. For example,detecting operation 1302, feedback providing operation 1312, andfeedback providing operation 1316 are, optionally, implemented by eventsorter 170, event recognizer 180, and event handler 190.

The foregoing description, for purpose of explanation, has beendescribed with reference to specific embodiments. However, theillustrative discussions above are not intended to be exhaustive or tolimit the invention to the precise forms disclosed. Many modificationsand variations are possible in view of the above teachings. Theembodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain theprinciples of the invention and its practical applications, to therebyenable others skilled in the art to best use the invention and variousdescribed embodiments with various modifications as are suited to theparticular use contemplated.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method, comprising: at an electronic devicewith a display, a touch sensitive surface, one or more sensors, and anaudio system, and/or one or more tactile output generators: detecting analert event; and in response to receiving the alert event: delayingprovision of feedback indicative of the alert event until determiningwhether the electronic device is in a first use context or in a seconduse context that is distinct from the first use context; and in responseto determining whether the electronic device is in the first use contextor the second use context: in accordance with a determination that theelectronic device is in the first use context, providing first feedbackindicative of the alert event, wherein the first feedback includes afirst audio output and/or a first tactile output; and in accordance witha determination that the electronic device is in the second use contextthat is distinct from the first use context, providing second feedbackindicative of the alert event, wherein the second feedback includes asecond audio output that is distinct from the first audio output and/ora second tactile output that is distinct from the first tactile output.2. The method of claim 1, further comprising: while providing the firstfeedback indicative of the alert event, monitoring whether theelectronic device has transitioned from the second use context to thefirst use context; and in response to determining that the electronicdevice has transitioned from the second use context to the first usecontext, transitioning from providing the second feedback to providingthe first feedback.
 3. The method of claim 2, wherein: transitioningfrom providing the second feedback to providing the first feedbackincludes: transitioning from providing the second audio output toproviding the first audio output over a first period of time; andtransitioning from providing the second tactile output to providing thefirst tactile output over a second period of time that is less than thefirst period of time.
 4. The method of claim 1, further comprising:forgoing monitoring whether the electronic device has transitioned fromthe first use context to the second use context; and/or forgoingtransitioning from providing the first feedback to providing the secondfeedback.
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein: the first use contextindicates that a user is interacting, or has interacted within apredefined time period, with the electronic device; and the second usecontext indicates that the user is not interacting, or has notinteracted within the predefined time period, with the electronicdevice.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein: the first use contextindicates that a face of a user is detected; and the second use contextindicates that a face of a user is not detected.
 7. The method of claim1, wherein: the first audio output has a first volume and the secondaudio output has a second volume that is greater than the first volume.8. The method of claim 7, wherein: the first volume corresponds to areduction of the second volume by a reduction factor; and the reductionfactor is selected based on a volume property of the electronic device.9. The method of claim 1, wherein: the first audio output corresponds toan output obtained by applying a low pass filter to the second audiooutput.
 10. The method of claim 1, wherein: the second audio outputincludes two or more audio tracks; and the first audio output includes asubset, less than all, of the two or more audio tracks.
 11. The methodof claim 1, wherein: the second audio output includes a first audiotrack at a third volume and a second audio track at a fourth volume; andthe first audio output includes the first audio tracking at the thirdvolume and the second audio track at a fifth volume that is less thanthe fourth volume.
 12. The method of claim 1, wherein: the first audiooutput corresponds to an output of applying a respective audio filter tothe second audio output; and the respective audio filter is selectedbased on a type of audio content of the second audio output.
 13. Themethod of claim 1, wherein: providing the second feedback indicative ofthe alert event includes generating the second audio output byoutputting an audio alert without applying a first filter or a secondfilter to the audio alert; and providing the first feedback indicativeof the alert event includes: in accordance with a determination that anaudio alert designated for the alert event is a first type of audioalert, generating the first audio output by applying the first filter tothe audio alert of the first type; and in accordance with adetermination that the audio alert designated for the alert event is asecond type of audio alert, generating the first audio output byapplying the second filter to the audio alert of the second type. 14.The method of claim 1, wherein: the first tactile output has a firstamplitude and the second tactile output has a second amplitude that isgreater than the first amplitude.
 15. The method of claim 14, wherein:the first tactile output includes a first number of tactile outputcomponents; the second tactile output includes a second number oftactile output components; and the second number is less than the firstnumber.
 16. The method of claim 1, wherein: the second tactile outputincludes a plurality of tactile output components; and the first tactileoutput includes a subset, less than all, of the plurality of tactileoutput components.
 17. The method of claim 1, wherein: the secondfeedback includes a first vibration output that is generated by repeatedoscillations of a tactile output generator at a respective frequency;and the first feedback includes a sequence of tactile output componentsin place of the first vibration output, wherein the tactile outputcomponents in the sequence of tactile output components correspond toseparate activations of a tactile output generator instead of repeatedoscillations of a tactile output generator at the respective frequency.18. The method of claim 1, wherein: providing the first feedbackindicative of the alert event includes transitioning from providing thesecond feedback to providing third feedback that includes a third audiooutput and/or a third tactile output, followed by a transition toproviding the first feedback; and a volume of the third audio output isless than a volume of the second audio output and greater than a volumeof the first audio output, and/or an amplitude of the third tactileoutput is less than an amplitude of the second tactile output andgreater than an amplitude of the first tactile output.
 19. The method ofclaim 1, wherein: the alert event corresponds to one of: a request forplaying a ringtone, a request for triggering an alarm, and a request forproviding a timer alert.
 20. An electronic device, comprising: adisplay; a touch-sensitive surface; one or more sensors; an audio systemand/or one or more tactile output generators; one or more processors;memory; and one or more programs, wherein the one or more programs arestored in the memory and configured to be executed by the one or moreprocessors, the one or more programs including instructions for:detecting an alert event; and in response to receiving the alert event:delaying provision of feedback indicative of the alert event untildetermining whether the electronic device is in a first use context orin a second use context that is distinct from the first use context; andin response to determining whether the electronic device is in the firstuse context or the second use context: in accordance with adetermination that the electronic device is in the first use context,providing first feedback indicative of the alert event, wherein thefirst feedback includes a first audio output and/or a first tactileoutput; and in accordance with a determination that the electronicdevice is in the second use context that is distinct from the first usecontext, providing second feedback indicative of the alert event,wherein the second feedback includes a second audio output that isdistinct from the first audio output and/or a second tactile output thatis distinct from the first tactile output.
 21. A computer readablestorage medium storing one or more programs, the one or more programscomprising instructions, which when executed by an electronic devicewith a display, a touch-sensitive surface, one or more sensors, and anaudio system and/or one or more tactile output generators, cause thedevice to: detect an alert event; and in response to receiving the alertevent: delay provision of feedback indicative of the alert event untildetermining whether the electronic device is in a first use context orin a second use context that is distinct from the first use context; andin response to determining whether the electronic device is in the firstuse context or the second use context: in accordance with adetermination that the electronic device is in the first use context,provide first feedback indicative of the alert event, wherein the firstfeedback includes a first audio output and/or a first tactile output;and in accordance with a determination that the electronic device is inthe second use context that is distinct from the first use context,provide second feedback indicative of the alert event, wherein thesecond feedback includes a second audio output that is distinct from thefirst audio output and/or a second tactile output that is distinct fromthe first tactile output.